A Nicholas I Russian 84 Zolotnik (875 standard) parcel-gilt silver and niello snuff box, Moscow 1827 by Osip Balanov
A Nicholas I Russian 84 Zolotnik (875 standard) parcel-gilt silver and niello snuff box, Moscow 1827 by Osip Balanov
Of curved rectangular form, the hinged lid with flush hinge. The top with a nielloed scene of the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, against a gilt matted ground, reserved in nielloed C scrolls. The obverse with a nielloed architectural scene with trees, similarly reserved. The sides with nielloed architectural borders. Gilt interior, with engraved presentation inscription reading “Presented by William Davis to John Church, Newport”. Marked to interior base and lid, with town mark, standard mark, makers mark (OБ) and with assay masters mark of Nikolai Lukich Dubrovin (active 1822-55, d. 1862).
Length – 7.6 cm / 3 inches
Weight – 82 grams / 2.64 ozt
Mark: Ivanov 290 “mentioned in 1838, presented for hallmarking 1 pood, 26 pounds 81 zolotniks of silverware. Moscow.”
The John Church mentioned is possibly an American Col. John Church (1794 – 1882) who married Prudence W. Simmons (1790-1866) on the 6th Sep 1818. He of Little Compton, Newport, Rhode Island.
“His was the sixth generation from Joseph to live continuously in Little Compton. In 1812 he went to Providence and became connected with John H. Green, architect and builder. Afterwards he founded the firm of Church and Sweet who were the most prominent builders and contractors in that city for many years. Their operations were not confined to that locality but extended to others, particularly in the Southern States. They built a large church in Charleston, S. C, and another in Savannah, Ga. Mr. Church became Colonel of the 2d Reg. of Ct. Inf. and escorted Gen. La Fayette on his visit to Providence in 1824. He was a member of the first City Council in 1832. He retired from business in 1840 and removed to his native town where he built a beautiful home on land that had been in his family since 1687. He was a man of fine presence, above six feet in height, active in many directions. Director of several banks and of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. A whig and later a republican, he represented Little Compton in the General Assembly 1846 to 1848. He was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church. "A man of unswerving integrity, a kind father, devoted friend, wise counsellor, lover of peace and consistent Christian gentleman."
Descendants of Richard Church of Plymouth, Mass. Rutland, Vt: Tuttle, (1913). P.172
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,500
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A Nicholas I Russian 84 Zolotnik (875 standard) parcel-gilt silver and niello snuff box, Moscow 1827 by Osip Balanov
Of curved rectangular form, the hinged lid with flush hinge. The top with a nielloed scene of the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, against a gilt matted ground, reserved in nielloed C scrolls. The obverse with a nielloed architectural scene with trees, similarly reserved. The sides with nielloed architectural borders. Gilt interior, with engraved presentation inscription reading “Presented by William Davis to John Church, Newport”. Marked to interior base and lid, with town mark, standard mark, makers mark (OБ) and with assay masters mark of Nikolai Lukich Dubrovin (active 1822-55, d. 1862).
Length – 7.6 cm / 3 inches
Weight – 82 grams / 2.64 ozt
Mark: Ivanov 290 “mentioned in 1838, presented for hallmarking 1 pood, 26 pounds 81 zolotniks of silverware. Moscow.”
The John Church mentioned is possibly an American Col. John Church (1794 – 1882) who married Prudence W. Simmons (1790-1866) on the 6th Sep 1818. He of Little Compton, Newport, Rhode Island.
“His was the sixth generation from Joseph to live continuously in Little Compton. In 1812 he went to Providence and became connected with John H. Green, architect and builder. Afterwards he founded the firm of Church and Sweet who were the most prominent builders and contractors in that city for many years. Their operations were not confined to that locality but extended to others, particularly in the Southern States. They built a large church in Charleston, S. C, and another in Savannah, Ga. Mr. Church became Colonel of the 2d Reg. of Ct. Inf. and escorted Gen. La Fayette on his visit to Providence in 1824. He was a member of the first City Council in 1832. He retired from business in 1840 and removed to his native town where he built a beautiful home on land that had been in his family since 1687. He was a man of fine presence, above six feet in height, active in many directions. Director of several banks and of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. A whig and later a republican, he represented Little Compton in the General Assembly 1846 to 1848. He was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church. "A man of unswerving integrity, a kind father, devoted friend, wise counsellor, lover of peace and consistent Christian gentleman."
Descendants of Richard Church of Plymouth, Mass. Rutland, Vt: Tuttle, (1913). P.172
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,500
Time, Location
Auction House
