MARK OF FLOR ROBYN II, HAMBURG, CIRCA 1620

This rare cup is identical to two by the same maker, 1619-1628 in the Armoury, Moscow (RK 54) (H. Schliemann, Die Goldschmiede Hamburgs, Hamburg, 1985, vol. III, p. 96, fig. 96). It is possible that this charka originally formed part of a set of six with those in the Armoury. In the same Museum there are no fewer than nine other objects by Flor Robyn II, including five bowls of the distinctive Russian bratina form (Schliemann, op. cit. p. 50, figs.90-93). The present cup of charka form and the bratina, mentioned above, demonstrate the strength of the commercial and artistic links between the Hanseatic port of Hamburg and Russia in the 17th century.