A silver-gilt cloisonn enamel Cake-dish

MARKED OREST KURLIUKOV, MOSCOW, 1896-1908

Details

A silver-gilt cloisonn enamel Cake-dish
marked Orest Kurliukov, Moscow, 1896-1908
Shaped oval, the centre decorated with Sadko playing his gusli by Lake Il'men, two daughters of the Sea-King in the stylized waves, his ships and the city of Novgorod in the distance, the border of stylized varicolor floral and foliate scrolls on cream ground, the rim of twisted ropework set with cabochon semi-precious stones, with shaped swing handle, marked in field
11in. (29cm.) wide

Lot Essay

The story of Sadko, the young gusli player of Novgorod and his adventures in the realm of the Sea-King, was very popular and widely known. The bylina from the Novgorod cycle reflects the commercial importance of the city and its connections with the Hanseatic league, but reiterates the story of Jonah and the whale. The story was set to music by N.A. Rimskii-Korsakov with the libretto by V.I. Bel'skii.