Souvenir spoon: Russian cloisonné

1885-1900

Measurements

5 in x 1-1/8 in x 1/2 in

Materials

Gold-washed silver, enamel

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1076

Inscription

"84*" and another mark on the underside of the handle shaft.

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner

Comments

The jewel-like appearance of this spoon was achieved by cloisonné work.  Cloisonné is a centuries-old decorating technique in which metal barriers, evident in this spoon as beaded lines, hold in place colored enamels (or other materials). 

The "84*" mark on the spoon handle may a Russian indication of the silver purity of 84 zolotnik or about 875/1000 silver.