Russian Silver Spice Tower - Antique 1880

This is an exceptional, fine and impressive antique Russian silver spice tower; an addition to our silver Judaica collection This exceptional antique Russian silver spice box has been modelled in the form of a tower. The rounded waisted shaped spice box is ornamented with impressive embossed foliate and scrolling leaf decoration, accented with a matte texture. This impressive vessel is fitted with a hallmarked hinged door accented with a plain fingerpiece and incorporated latch. The upper portion of this impressive silver spice tower* is embellished with plain silver supports to form a bell tower incorporating an articulated functional bell. This bell tower is surmounted with a tapering chute ornamented with engraved ornamentation and terminating with a large hallmarked undulating shaped flag. The spice compartment supports four hallmarked silver bells and surmounts a circular knopped pedestal to a square collet style base. The hallmarks to the surface of the square base include: Maker's Mark: Reiner (Abraham Reiner) Assay mark: O.C 1880 (Josef Sosnkowski) Silver quality/purity mark: 84 (84 zolotniks**) City Mark: Warsaw*** Such original Russian antique silver spice towers are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. * A spice box is used to hold sweet-smelling herbs/spices and can be fashioned in many forms. As of the 16th century a very common form is that of a tower, influenced by developments in architecture. The spice tower is used to bring comfort to a Jew as they transition through Sabbath to their new week, receiving their extra soul known as a 'neshama yetera' ** 84 zolotniki is equivalent to 875/1000 or .875 standard silver *** Warsaw is located in Poland; however from 1852-1899 there was an Imperial Russian Assay office within the city and they produced items bearing the Imperial Eagle as their City mark.