Not often seen enamel from Schaposchnikov

[Goldstein]

Hi -
there are many Russian firms with well known names which produced nice enamel objects. Klingert, Khlebnikov, Sazikov, Saltikov, Ovtschinnikov etc. to name a few. Schaposchnikov, Sergej 1897-1908 was an excellent enamel maker, whose objects are very hard to find. His kovshi are famous. Here some object for the daily use:
Napkin ring






Match box cover



sugar tongs



source
Postnikova-L. # 2918-19
Coll. Goldstein

Goldstein

[oel]

Like our former contributor Sazikov used to say: sugar for the eye!
Thank you Golstein.


Best,

Peter

[Qrt.S]

Not to forget to mention Postnikov as well as Zolotnik ;-))))

[Goldstein]

Not bad for one who has only a book from Traina and Watts!
So much about prejudices!

Goldstein

[Juke]

Hi!

Sorry to say but to my opinion the napkin ring and match box cover don't look authentic to me. Especially the wire don't look like it should be, also otherwise the work is not up to the standard it should be. The enamel works are difficult ones and especially to forge them.

Can't say nothing about the sugar tongs, would need a more closeup picture.

Regards,
Juke

[Goldstein]

Hi Juke -
I do not know how experienced you are in handling and assessing Russian enamel, particularly the enamel of Schaposchnikov.
I could just say - your opinion against my opinion - end of the conversation - to each his own. Because I believe in the tremendous information potential of this forum in words and pictures, I'll go into more detail on your objections. I for my person learn every day something new!
I add two more objects to demonstrate the personal quality, the choice of colours and significant style of Schaposchnikov. It would be a very big coincidence if the fakers could or would consider this circumstances over the years - because it took me some decades to find the shown objects.
Look closely, compare and think!
New objects:
Spoon



Cigarette case



Details of the already shown objects
Napkin rings



Matchbox cover


Sugar tongs



Now think again!

Goldstein

[Juke]

Hi,

Thank you for the new pictures. I am more happy with the sugar tongs than the other objects. You might be as well be right, I don't claim you would be wrong but I am more cautious to claim something authentic if there is something that bothers. You know well how the twisted wires should look like, in the detailed pictures either it is very badly deteriorated or then it is moulded which would indicate in a non authentic piece. I consider especially spoons to have been used and polished numerous times which would indicate to an worn object but would a napkin ring or cigarette case be used/polished as much? I don't have an answear to that, only wondering the outlook. Your later pictures including the other objects looks better from an authencity point of view so I only gave one opinion on the case. As you know there are a lot of especially fake enamel objects circulating around, as you know especially the enamel ones are liked to be faked. As a conclusion you could well have authentic objects, I am just careful on some points what I see.

Regards,
Juke

[Goldstein]

Hi Juke -
I understand your point of view in princible! But please consder that there were enamelmasters/silversmiths of different quality. You can not compare Schischkin with Saltikov, Klingert or Ovtschinnikov. See examples:

Saltikov


Klingert


Oytschinnikov


Schaposchnikov


Not all "open end wires" are an indication for a fake! If you know "your" master - you know how he worked, which enamel colours he used, his style and quality. In other words - you must have seen a lot from him and others. Fakes are only hard to detect for the unknowing. The reason why they are so successful....The more you see the more you know! Be aware!!

Goldstein

[Goldstein]

Hi all -
if you are after enamel sugar tongs you must pay attention to certain details. As they are quite rare and very sought after - they are of course copied.
Mostly plain, original (no problems with the marks!) sugar tongs are used and then subsequently provided with enamelled "shells", soldered to the existing body. Now you have a fine, time, style and hallmark correct piece. Wrong: the arms are flat.
Authentic pieces have solid arms, no enamelled "shells" but the whole body enamelled - exept the always pillarlike arms.
There are several other forms - but the principle is always the same. For better understanding I enclose some photos.
Hence - watch out!

Fakes



Authentic



Goldstein