KOVSH

Creator(s): Unknown (Silversmith)

On view in: Icon Room

About this object

The entire kovsh is gilded. The handle has a relief decoration of formal leaf motifs, the cleft crown and in the center an oval medallion with the monogram of Empress Elizabeth I (Elizaveta Petrovna). Opposite is a bust of her in profile. On the opposite end is an ornament with the Imperial double headed eagle. In the bottom is a fine repoussé medallion also with the Imperial double headed eagle with St. George and the Dragon on his breast. Around the shield are thirteen small medallions, each with a Russian letter. The frame to the large medallion, also, in relief is composed of leaves. Around the outside is engraved an inscription in early Russian; it is divided into five portions, each one in a rococo frame: "By the grace of God, We, Elizaveta the First, Empress and Autocrat of all Russia, etc., etc., etc., granted this kovsh to Kazem Sidorov, starshina of the Don Host and ataman of Lekhkaia Stanitsa, for his many services, in Moscow, the 14th? day of September of the year 1751." On the front is engraved the bust of Elizabeth in a rococo frame.

Object name:

KOVSH

Made from:

Silver gilt

Made in:

Moscow, Russia

Date made:

1751

Size:

27.9 × 16.2 cm (11 × 6 3/8 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

12.62

Class:

SILVER

Signature marks:

MARK 1) AK 1751 for tester Anisim Kuz'min, 1741-52; 2) IaS for unknown master; 3) ET for French import mark, 1864-1893 INSCRIPTION "By the grace of God, We, Elizaveta the First, Empress and Autocrat of all Russia, etc., etc., etc., granted this kovsh to Kazem Sidorov, starshina of the Don Host and ataman of Lekhkaia Stanitsa, for his many services, in Moscow, the 14th? day of September of the year 1751."

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973