A Russian parcel-gilt silver cup and cover, bearing marks for Ignaty Sazikov, St Petersburg, circa 1865, the cover with trefoil finial with three open mouthed lions, situated on a lobed foot with strapwork surround, the tapering body is applied with two vacant cartouches within fleur-de-lis and strapwork borders, the sides with applied female heads featuring as handles, the base of the stem with floral relief, overlapping laurel leaf and bud borders, 84 standard, 576 gms, 9.84 in. high . Compare with a similar example bearing marks for Pavel Sazikov sold Russian Art, Christie's, London, 6 June 2011, lot 232
- Fleur-De-Lis - The fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily or iris flower with
three petals that has been used as a decorative motif for thousands of years. It
often appears in Christian iconography symbolising the Holy Trinity and as an
emblem that reflects the purity of the Virgin Mary. In decorative art and antiques
decoration, the fleur-de-lis is often used as a symbol of elegance, refinement,
and good taste.
The fleur-de-lis has a rich history and in ancient times, it
was associated with royalty, purity, and the divine, and it was used as a
symbol of the French monarchy for many centuries.
It is a common design element in ceramics, silverware, jewellery,
furniture, and other decorative objects, and it can be found in many different
styles and forms.
- Laurel Leaf - The use of the laurel leaf as a decorative element can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was closely associated with victory and honour. In these cultures, the laurel was a sacred tree that was dedicated to the god Apollo and was believed to have protective and healing properties.
In ancient Greece, the laurel wreath was awarded to victors in athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games, as a symbol of their achievement. The wreath was also associated with academic achievement, and was often worn by scholars and poets. The Greeks also used the laurel leaf as a symbol of victory in war, and it was often depicted in artwork alongside images of triumphant warriors and heroes.
The Romans continued this tradition, and the laurel wreath became a symbol of the highest military honor, the triumph, awarded to victorious generals. The wreath was also used to crown emperors and other important officials, and was often depicted in Roman art and architecture as a symbol of power and authority.
The laurel leaf is still used as a symbol of achievement, success, and excellence, and is frequently used in logos, emblems, and other branding materials. Its association with victory and honour has made it a popular choice for awards, medals, and other forms of recognition.
- Finial - An architectural decoration, found on the upper parts of of an object. On furniture they are usually found on pediments, canopies and shelf supports. On smaller ceramic or silver items, such as spoons, they may decorate the top of the item itself, or the lid or cover where they provide a useful handle for removal.
Finials have a variety of shapes and forms. They may be urn-shaped, baluster shaped round or spiral, but usually taper into an upper point. Many real life shapes may also be used as finials, such as pineapples, berries, pinecones, buds, lotus and acorns. Sometimes animals such as a lion are depicted, or fish and dolphins.
- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
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