Russian Silver Repoussé Plate or Dish, 84 Zolotnik Purity
Hollowware (Small Plate, Saucer, or Decorative Dish) · Unknown Russian Imperial Silversmith. The stamps indicate a workshop adhering to the Imperial Russian assay system, likely a regional or smaller Moscow/St. Petersburg master of the late 19th century.
Pattern: Traditional Russian Floral and Foliate Repoussé; non-production line, likely a custom or workshop-specific design common to the era.
Type
Hollowware (Small Plate, Saucer, or Decorative Dish)
Maker
Unknown Russian Imperial Silversmith. The stamps indicate a workshop adhering to the Imperial Russian assay system, likely a regional or smaller Moscow/St. Petersburg master of the late 19th century.
Material
84 Zolotnik Silver (equivalent to .875 purity). This was the standard silver fineness in Imperial Russia, slightly lower than Sterling (.925) but highly durable for functional hollowware.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter: 15-20 cm (6-8 inches). Estimated weight: 150-250 grams. The thickness suggests a substantial gauge silver sheet used for hand-raising.
Description
This is a quintessential piece of Russian Imperial hollowware, featuring the distinctive '84' purity mark. The item showcases the 'inside-out' view of the repoussé technique, where the artisan has pushed the metal forward to create deep floral or scroll patterns on the opposite side. The surface bears the honest wear of an antique, including the characteristic fine scratches from decades of hand-polishing.
Key Features
Multiple '84' purity stamps, hand-hammered texture on the reverse, and deep relief work. The silver has a slightly warmer, gray-yellow tint compared to modern sterling, typical of the .875 alloy.
Material & Composition
84 Zolotnik Silver (equivalent to .875 purity). This was the standard silver fineness in Imperial Russia, slightly lower than Sterling (.925) but highly durable for functional hollowware.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé and chasing on the obverse; the reverse (shown) displays the 'negative' indentations and hand-planished surface. Features a satin-to-bright polish with heavy directional scratching from historic abrasive cleaning.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Multiple strikes of the '84' zolotnik purity mark and likely a city mark (St. George for Moscow or a Scepter for St. Petersburg) or maker's initials in Cyrillic. Note: The image shows 'ghost' marks or multiple strikes common in hand-stamped pieces.
Construction Details
Hand-raised from a flat silver sheet. The decorative elements are formed via repoussé (hammering from the back) and chasing (refining from the front). Visible planishing marks and hammer strikes are evident on the underside.
Functional Features
Wide decorative rim with a shallow central well. Intended for use as a desert plate, card tray, or presentation dish.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A; this is a rimmed plate design without separate handles.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent evidence of hand-wrought labor. The variation in the 'negatives' on the reverse confirms that each petal and leaf was individual struck by hand, rather than pressed in a factory die.
Authentication Indicators
The 84 zolotnik mark is consistent with Russian hallmarking laws of the era. The irregular spacing and depth of the stamps are typical of non-mechanized marking. The construction shows genuine hand-work rather than cast replication.
Origin & Manufacturing
Imperial Russia, likely Moscow or St. Petersburg. Manufactured in a silversmithing workshop using traditional hand-tooling methods rather than industrial stamping.
Era & Period
Late Imperial Russian / Late Victorian Era (c. 1870-1910). The 84 Zolotnik mark and repoussé style are characteristic of the 'Russian Style' prevalent before the 1917 Revolution.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1900. The style of the stamps and the execution of the handwork suggest the high-output period of Russian silver toward the end of the 19th century.
Cultural Significance
Silver was a critical status symbol in Tsarist Russia, used as dowry items, gifts for church donors, or high-end domestic ware. Items like this represent the height of pre-revolutionary Russian craftsmanship.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. There is significant 'cross-hatch' scratching on the flat surfaces due to improper cleaning with abrasives. Minor tarnish remains in the deeper 'negative' crevices of the repoussé work.
Value Estimate
$300 - $600 USD. Value depends heavily on the identified maker (if marks can be fully deciphered) and the detail on the front side (not shown).
Care & Maintenance
Clean only with non-abrasive silver foams (e.g., Wright's). Avoid 'dips' which can strip the desirable patina from the recessed repoussé. Use a very soft horsehair brush for crevice cleaning.
Similar Pieces
German 800 silver repoussé plates (often thinner and machine-stamped) or French Minerva .950 plates (usually more neoclassical and less 'bumpy' on the reverse).
Interesting Facts
The 84 zolotnik standard was actually based on a pound (funt) of silver containing 96 zolotniks; 84 parts silver to 12 parts copper. This alloy was specifically favored for its ability to hold the intricate, high-relief shapes of Russian silverwork.