Antique Wallet Made of Silver with Niello, Moscow, c. 1875

This unusual antique wallet was made in Russia and dates to around 1875. It features a classic, rounded wallet shape and is crafted from solid silver. Both sides are adorned with finely crafted black niello inlays. Niello is an ancient craft technique that allows surfaces made of gold or silver to be inlaid with dark, almost bluish, lustrous inlays that are very resilient and durable. In the 18th and 19th centuries, this art was practiced particularly in the Russian city of Tula, which is why silverwork of this kind is still called “Tula silver” today. On the front, we see a rural scene: A wooden one-horse carriage carrying two gentlemen and a lady in Old Russian traditional dress travels through a vast landscape with a small river. The revival of Old Russian motifs was particularly fashionable in the 19th century, and so the Tsar’s court regularly hosted balls in Old Russian traditional dress. A small note has been preserved with our case, stating that it was given as a souvenir from Russia. In addition, the blue silk compartments contain a 10-kopek coin from 1915.

Estimate:$1,333.34

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