RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc Presents: Ask the Appraiser

Greetings from Spring Lake, New Jersey. We read your column each week on the internet and really enjoy it. Hopefully, you can help us figure out what this old family heirloom really is. Growing up I can remember it being in my parent’s china cabinet. We were forbidden to go near it. My father told us that it came from Austria before the first world war and that it belonged to his grandfather. Supposedly it was a gift from a wealthy family that his grandfather worked for, sometime around the turn of the century. Jon, please tell us; what this thing is, what is it for and what is it worth? Hope all my pictures will help you. It measures 3 inches tall and has a miniature base it sits on. Thank you for all your help and for this great column.

Edward H.

Edward, thank you for reading this column each week on the internet in beautiful Spring Lake, New Jersey. The item in question is a high quality Russian Imperial silver and enamel egg, with a silver tripod stand, produced between 1890 through 1910. These eggs were often given as gifts to family members and friends at Easter time, which was a huge festival in Russia at that time. The Russian Easter egg tradition dates back to pre-Christian times when people viewed eggs as fertility symbols and as symbols of protection. Eggs represented renewal. When Russian Orthodoxy took hold, eggs took on Christian symbolism. Your particular egg is a two-part parcel gilt silver, with the exterior being decorated with a cloisonne enamel polychrome pan Slavic floral design. It is set at the top with a round ruby cabochon. It sits upon a wonderful silver tripod stand with three molded dolphin feet. After studying the picture of the four Russian hallmarks punched into the interior of the top rim of this egg, I can now inform you that it was produced in 1892, it is marked with the silver quality mark “84” with a right facing kokoshnik and the delta symbol for the city of Moscow. It is also marked with the initials “AAT” in Latin letters. These are the maker’s marks for the Russian silversmith. As you can see, when you are able to break down the meaning of each symbol, it enables one to fully identify the item. Right down to the year of its manufacture. Now for the best part of this appraisal. Based on your very detailed photographs, it is obvious this item has remained in excellent condition, no wear or damage. Therefore, it is my professional opinion that the current market value for this antique Russian Imperial silver and enamel egg is $3,000.00 USD. Thank you for allowing me to inspect and appraise such a treasure.