Russian Enameled Kovsh by Fedor Ruckert
A magnificent kovsh expertly crafted by Russian workmaster Fedor Ruckert and adorned with shaded enamel and silver gilt. The kovsh, a medieval drinking vessel modelled after a Viking boat, represents "the vessel of life" and decorative pieces like this were often used in formal ceremonies. Ruckert's exquisite enamels were supplied to world-renowned Russian silversmithing firms including Faberge, Ovchinnikov and Kurliukov. His works are celebrated as some of the most significant pieces of the neo-Russian style for his commanding use of shaded enamel and imaginative wirework. Hallmarked Moscow 88 Mark (1908-1917).