A RUSSIAN SILVER-GILT CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL PICTORIAL BOX Possibly Feodor Ruckert, Moscow, 1908-...

A RUSSIAN SILVER-GILT CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL PICTORIAL BOX
Possibly Feodor Ruckert, Moscow, 1908-1917
the upper lid inset with enamelling en plein 'A Knight at the Crossroads' by Viktor Vasnetsov, the lid border and sides with shaded stylised flowerheads and geometric motifs on vari-coloured grounds, the surface further decorated with cloison coils and granulated tendrils, gilt interior, the base struck 'GiSH' in Cyrillic for Gashkel' I Shik, possibly overstriking Ruckert's initials.
height 1 1/2in (3.8cm); width 3in (7.6cm); depth 1 3/4in (4.4cm)
Footnotes:
It is precisely during the post-1908 period that Ruckert's style became more influenced by Art Nouveau as interpreted through the prism of Neo-Russian taste. He drew his vernacular from textured ornament on wood carvings, stylized foliage in Bilibin illustrations, as well as the onion domes, kokoshniks and boyar accoutrements that were so symbolic of Russia. As familiar as Ruckert would have been with the creative output of Abramtsevo and Talashkino in the decorative arts, he managed to combine these for the enamel frame with plaques drawn from popular images often repeated in the lacquer works of Lukhutin and Vishniakov.

Provenance
Acquired by the mother of the owner in Europe;
Thence by descent.
Condition Report: In the central top scene depicting a horse and rider, there appears to be a circular area of wear/loss located in the sky just up to the left of the rider's helmet measuring just under 1/8' diameter. Additionally, there appears to be a rectangular area of repair just under the horse's rear foot at the lower edge measuring approximately ¼' long x 1/8' high. Scratches and light wear to the underside and interior surface of the box, additionally some brown residue on the interior of the box. Colors in the central scene a bit muted, possibly due to surface soiling.