Antique 1896 Russian Egg Towering Man

Russian silver decorative egg 12 cm high, the egg is mounted on three winged figures, the cover is decorated with laurel swags and surmounted with a lobed pierced knop. The interior has a kneeling classical male figure in relief as the surprise. The standard for Russian silver is measured in zolotniks: the most common fineness is 84, corresponding to 875/1000 standard. Until the late 19th century silver items had a town mark, Assay Master mark with date, and a Maker’s mark (as well as the silver standard mark). In 1896, Tsar Nicholas Ii issued an edict and a new system of marking was introduced, known as the Kokoshnik mark (a cartouche containing a woman’s head, the silver fineness and the assayer’s initials). This system continued until the Revolution. Russian Imperial silver is renowned for its quality and peculiar style, often finely decorated with enamel.