Imperial Russia cross

[Mandich]

Dear all,
Please help me to understand this hallmarks.




As i found that chain is made by Смирнов Дмитрий Лукич ("Д.С.") i guess in Sankt Petersburg, but for cross im not sure, beside 1855 i cannot recognize initials of a maker, i think is F.V. but im not sure.

Thank you in advance!

[Mart]

Hello! Unfortunately, I do not have a sample of the silversmith's stamp "ФВ" this year, but it may be Fyodor Verkhovtsev (Федор Верховцев). One of the best Silversmiths who made church utensils.
The brand "ДС" has nothing to do with D.L. Smirnov, because this silversmith worked in Moscow.

[Silverstone]

Hi Mandich,

welcome to our forum!
In addition a cigarette case from Fedor Verkhoftsev.

Dated: April 17, 1905 (frontside) + 1909 (backside)

A kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is engraved on the front, which is native to eastern Central Europe far into Russia and to the shores of the Caspian Sea.
It would be nice if someone would be so kind to translate the text on the backside.

Lit.: Postnikova-Losefa, p. 185, no. 1423
Silver medal 1851 - Art and Industrial Exhibition, London.
Court supplier in 1861.







Regards
Silverstone

[Mart]

Fyodor Verkhovtsev died in 1867. The cigarette case was made at the very beginning of the 20th century in Moscow. Text: "July 5th
The P A Thronins....Uncle Valya aunt Nadya 1909"
Research on Fyodor Andreevich Verkhovtsev can be found on Wikipedia: "Верховцев, Федор Андреевич".
PS: the choice of a place for the stamps on the silver cross is unusual for me.

[Silverstone]

Mart,
thank you, much appreciated.
Silverstone



Source: NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) - photo: Christoph Bosch

[Qrt.S]

@Mart
Interesting but mind my asking but if the case is made in Moscow what has Fyodor Verhovtzev to do with that. He did not work in Moscow. He had his workshop in St. Petersburg on Troijsky lane. He became master 1835 (born 1804) and as mentioned died 31.12.1867 in the age of 64 and buried at Volkovsky in StP. 1867 is not actually "beginning of the 20th century in Moscow" His son Sergey Fyodorovich (1843-1893) continued with the business in St. Petersburg using a similar punch. Buthe died 1893! Not either the beginning of...rather late 19th century.

The cigarette case carry the left looking kokoshnik (1899-1908) with probably assay master Ivan Lebedkin's (?) quite unclear initials that undoubtedly indicates Moscow. He was active there 1898-1914. He never worked in StP.

The above stated arise the question: "Who is this ФВ in a rectangular shield. The Verhovtsev's punch had rounded corners, almost in an oval shield. Yes the cigarette case is as said made in Moscow, but by whom? In Moscow worked at that time Fyodor Vladimirov, Philipp Vlasov...and ??? If you still consider the maker being Verhovtzev, would you mind explain why. Thank you in advance.

@Silverstone

The page in Postnikova you refer to is under heading St. Petersburg!

[Mart]

There was a misunderstanding. Earlier I wrote: " Fyodor Verkhovtsev died in 1867. The cigarette case was made at the very beginning of the 20th century in Moscow. "
It is clear that this means that this is not Verkhovtsev's silver workshop. I did not say that the cigarette case was made by him.
Sergey Verkhovtsev's hallmark is "СФ".
Earlier I said where you can find very complete information about the Verkhovtsevs.
Unfortunately, I do not know for sure who the Moscow silversmith "ФВ" of the early 20th century is. I have no candidates at the moment.

[Silverstone]

W H O O P S !

Thanks to Qrt.S.
The assayer is Ivan Lebedkin.
It was difficult to make a better photo. The "Л" is smaller, but better to recognise.
This cigarette case was made in Moscow. Now I have to correct something in my list!



Everyone makes a mistake at some point. So it is always important to communicate politely.

Regards
Silverstone

[Silverstone]

Mart,
thank you for your last information.
Regards from Silverstone

[Qrt.S]

@Mart
OK, thanks for the clarification. We have the same understanding regarding the maker(s) etc. Unfortunately there is still many unsolved questions regarding imperial Russian silver. This is one of them and unfortunately I don't either have any clue of who this object's master is. I will tell you if I find him :-))).

The father Fyodor's punches were to my understanding: Ф.В. ФВ ФЕРХОВЦЕВЪ and С.В (likely serif font?)

his son Sergey's punches were the same as his father's (likely inherited?)
Sergey Verkhovtsev's hallmark is "СФ". ????? You mean С.В, don't you?

BTW, irrespective who the maker is, the case is of excellent workmanship.


@Silverstone

My pleasure, but what do you correct, the maker or ??? (the maker is unknown to name for the moment.)
yeah, nobody is perfect :-)))))))))))))))))))))

[Silverstone]

I made a mistake in my list, because I really thought the case was by Fyodor Verhovtzev.
In anticipation, I was definitely too quick to get excited about owning a case of a court jeweller!
So I didn't pay close attention to the Kokoshnik mark.

Proverb of the day:
Never forget to use a magnifying glass!

Nevertheless:
This box is something special!
Silverstone

[Mart]

Yes, of course, I meant "СВ". Sorry.
I know of Fyodor Verkhovtsev's "ФВ" hallmarks up to 1867 (the year of his death), no more. I don't remember any cases of children of silversmiths inheriting their parents' hallmarks with initials.
This is a photo of Sergey.

[Qrt.S]

The son Sergey was a merchant of the 1st order and was appointed to court supplier for silver objects (Серебряные изделия) in 1871. He also inherited the title of honored citizen and gentleman. He graduated from St. Petersburg Art Academy. Anyway, this has nothing to do with the cigarette case here that is for the moment an unsolved story among many others.

FYI!
If a master was appointed to a court supplier, he got the right to punch the double eagle punch on the goods he made. There is no such punch on your case. This is important to know regarding court suppliers! No punch, no court supplier. It is also a rather common misunderstanding that if an object has a court supplier punch it had been delivered to the court. Not entirely true. The court supplier mark was punched on all production irrespective of who (court included) got/bought it.

[Qrt.S]

@Mart
Ohooo! I do. Here you have two and there are few more.
August and Albert Holmström punched with the same punch AH in a rectangular shield and here two more:
August and Väinö Holming who both used the punch A*H also in a rectangular shield.

[Mart]

Naturally, I wrote about relatives who have different initials. For example, "ФВ" and "СВ".