Russian Silver Tea Caddy. Moscow, 1896-1908

An elegant Russian silver tea caddy of square form, crafted in Moscow between 1896 and 1908 in the workshop of Maksim Vasilyevich Belousov. The piece is a fine example of Moscow silverwork from the turn of the twentieth century, when the Art Nouveau movement fostered a widespread fascination with Oriental aesthetics in the decorative arts. The body is finely engraved in the Chinoiserie taste. The principal panel depicts a graceful female figure dressed in traditional Chinese attire, standing within a stylised landscape enriched with lotus blossoms and flowing vegetal scrollwork. The remaining sides are adorned with asymmetrical floral and foliate ornament characteristic of the Art Nouveau style. The restrained geometric silhouette harmoniously complements the refined engraved decoration, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the silversmith's craftsmanship. The tea caddy is fitted with a tightly closing lid surmounted by a cylindrical finial, designed to preserve loose tea leaves under optimal conditions. The successful synthesis of Russian silversmithing traditions with Oriental decorative vocabulary makes this object a distinguished example of the artistic experimentation pursued by Moscow workshops at the beginning of the twentieth century and a highly desirable collector's piece. Hallmarks: Maker's mark MB for Maksim Vasilyevich Belousov in Cyrillic; Moscow state assay mark for the period 1896-1908; inventory inscription 19223. Dimensions: Height: 13 cm. Width: 8 cm. Weight: 336 g. Condition: Good condition. Minor traces of age and use consistent with its period. The engraved decoration and hallmarks remain crisp and well defined. The lid closes securely.