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Kovshik

Silver, parcel-gilt

Origin: Probably Russia

Date: Probably 19th century

11.8 cm height; 80 g weight

WA.OA995

T. Schroder (2009), no. 446

The kovshik is a miniature version of the kovsch, a traditional Russian vessel originally carved from wood in the form of a swimming bird and dating back to at least the fifteenth century. The larger ones were used as containers or ladles, whereas the smaller ones were drinking vessels. From the sixteenth century, they were more often associated with ceremonial occasions and made in silver or gold. The inscription translates, "When the storm breaks the memory disappears".

Information derived from T. Schroder, British and Continental Gold and Silver in the Ashmolean (2009)