OVCHINNIKOV - LARGE RUSSIAN SILVER BIRD-FORM KOVSH

OVCHINNIKOV - LARGE RUSSIAN SILVER BIRD-FORM KOVSH
EXTREMELY RARE - OVCHINNIKOV - LARGE RUSSIAN SILVER and ENAMEL BIRD-FORM KOVSH
A Russian Silver and Enamel Bird-Form Kovsh Mark of Pavel Ovchinikov, Moscow, 1908-1926. Gilt interior.
CONDITION: The item is described to the best of our knowledge. Please refer to pictures and email with any questions.
SIZE: Height 6 1/2 x length 10 1/2 x depth 4 inches.
ESTIMATE PRICE: $50,000 - $70,000.
You have a GREAT CHANCE to purchase a unique item for your collection - over the years it will only increase in price.
HISTORY of SALES: Few years ago Russian silver and enamelled kovshs made by Pavel Ovchinnikov were sold on Live Auctioneer for $260,000 and on Sotheby's for $111,600, $113,000, $115,000 and $136,000 (!!) - please see the screenshots.
PAYMENT: Wire transfer, Check or Money Order payment are also available.
PAY in PARTS: You can pay for any item during 2-3 months. Just make a deposit 10% and the item will wait for you.
SHIPPING: Let us Handle Your Shipping. For your convenience we will ship your item for a reasonable price - shipping costs will be included in the invoice. Combined shipping is available - next item will be ONE DOLLAR for shipping.
NEW: Returning customers will have 50% DISCOUNT on shipping.

HISTORY: Jeweller, silversmith, goldsmith, enameller, merchant, industrialist. Born in the family of a serf called Akim Ovchinnikov in the village of Otradnoe in Moscow Province (1830). Sent by Prince Dmitry Volkonsky to study in Moscow (1842), where he served as an apprentice in the jewellery workshop of his brother Andrei (1844-50). Emancipated from serfdom (1850) and married a woman called Marfa (1850). Opened his own workshop with his wife's dowry of a thousand roubles (1851). Acquired his brother's workshop and opened a factory on First Goncharny (Potters) Lane in Taganka (1853). Employed a staff of four hundred (1854) and six hundred craftsmen and apprentices (1855). Appointed official purveyor to the future Tsar Alexander III (1865), King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy (1873), Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich (1878) and King Christian IX of Denmark (1888). Awarded the Legion d'honneur (1867) and the Order of the Iron Crown (1873). Founded a school for 130 goldsmiths and silversmiths (1871). Opened a factory and shops in St Petersburg at 35 Bolshaya Morskaya Street (1873) and the former premises of Sazikov at 29 Bolshaya Morskaya Street (1900). Member of the Moscow City Duma (1876-88). Died and buried at Kalitniki (Moneybags) Cemetery in Moscow (1888), where his work was continued by his sons Mikhail, Alexander, Pavel and Nikolai (1888-1917). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1865).

WIKIPEDIA: The Kovsh is a traditional drinking vessel or ladle from Russia. It was oval-shaped like a boat with a single handle and may be shaped like a water bird or a Norse longship. Originally the Kovsh made from wood and used to serve and drink mead, with specimens excavated from as early as the tenth century. Metal Kovsh began to appear around the 14th century, although it also continued to be carved out of wood and was frequently brightly painted in peasant motifs. By the 17th century, the Kovsh was often an ornament rather than a practical vessel, and in the 19th century it was elaborately cast in precious metals for presentation as an official gift of the tsarist government.

N.B. : All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by VN Collectible Auctions and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. VN Collectible Auctions, including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.