Russian solid silver bread basket, Moscow, 19th century

Height x width x depth: 8 x 37 x 24 cm. Weight: 595 g.

of an oval shape with woven handles, featuring trompe l'oeil design imitating wickerwork and and a cloth napkin embroidered in peasant fashion.
These folklore objects became highly sought after the Reformation of 1861, which established the emancipation of serfs in Russia; this period of renewal led to an interest in the life of the peasants, their music, art and handicrafts. Objects designed to imitate materials such as wood, embroidered textiles, woven birch bark and other similar traditional elements were particularly popular.

Hallmarked with the hallmark for silver at a fineness of 84 zolotniks (875/1000) used in Moskow in the 19th century.