A SILVER-GILT IMPERIAL PRESENTATION KOVSH

A SILVER-GILT IMPERIAL PRESENTATION KOVSH

PROBABLY MOSCOW, CIRCA 1782

Of traditional form with raised prow and handle, the bowl repoussé with a circular reserve centring an Imperial double-headed eagle with orb and sceptre and centring St George slaying the dragon, the exterior sides engraved with an Old Russian dedication inscription \'By the Grace of God We Empress Catherine II Autocrat of all Russia presented this kovsh to Essaul of the Winter Stanitsa of the Ural Voisko, Ulian Karpov, for his true service during the service of Ataman Grigoriy Akutin, on 26 February 1782\' within scroll cartouches, the front engraved with the portrait of Catherine the Great in profile, the shaped handle centring the cypher of Catherine the Great within foliate scrolls and beneath the Imperial crown, apparently unmarked

11 7⁄8 in. (30 cm.) long

12 oz. (374 gr.)