5 - RUSSIAN SILVER TROMPE-L’ŒIL CASKET. GERASIM LOSKUTOV RUSSIA, MOSCOW, 1893.

RUSSIAN SILVER TROMPE-L’ŒIL CASKET. GERASIM LOSKUTOV RUSSIA, MOSCOW, 1893. A rare Russian silver trompe-l’œil casket of rectangular form, virtuously imitating bast weaving. The body is conceived as a tightly plaited basket, its textured “wicker” surface rendered with exceptional precision through refined chasing and engraving. The casket is raised on four low shaped feet, lending the composition architectural clarity and stability. The hinged lid with softly rounded corners is modelled as a draped textile with carefully executed fringe, creating the illusion of a cloth casually laid over the box. The interior is fully fire-gilt, with neatly finished seams and corners, underscoring the high technical standard and ceremonial character of the object. Such trompe-l’œil works rank among the most complex and prestigious creations of the Moscow silver school of the late 19th century and were intended for a highly discerning clientele. Marks: Maker’s mark “ГЛ” - Gerasim Loskutov; Moscow Assay Office mark with silver standard “84”; City mark of Moscow with St George the Victorious; Assay master’s mark “АА” above the date “1893” - Anatoly Apollonovich Artsibashev. Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.6 cm. Weight: 490 g. Width: 14cm, Height: 10cm, Depth: 10cm, Weight: 0.5kg, Condition: Good, Material: Silver 84, ID: ID-ANTQ-12253