SHOWCASE 17. GOLD- AND SILVERWARE OF PROVINCIAL CENTRES OF THE 18 - 19TH CENTURIES

At the beginning of the 18th century, the centre of trade, industry and culture moved from Solvychegodsk to Veliky Ustyug. In the second half of the 18th century, it became very popular thanks to professional silversmith making articles with niello decor. Most famous were snuffboxes adorned with niello representations of mythological and genre compositions, courteous scenes depicting ladies and gentlemen, idyllic landscapes and knight jousts. At the turn of the 19th century, illustrations of maps, plans and townscapes were in fashion. Of demand were also works of art covered mainly with white or blue enamel inlaid with silver foil.

Another large centre of silversmithing was the Siberian town of Tobolsk. The best craftsmen of Tobolsk executed works for the governor of Siberia D.I. Chicherin. Those samples bore his coat of arms and monogram, as well as popular scenes with theatrical figures of shepherdesses. Scenes of hunting adorn a kettle and coffeepot set.

Of interest are works of a talented master Sarkedon Skripitsyn, who lived in Vologda in the first half of the 19th century. On the pans from his travel set, there are depictions of Saint Petersburg and Vologda, while on the cups there are Swiss landscapes. Unfortunately, not all the pieces have remained until today.