The Silver Lion Inkstand

The Silver Lion Inkstand

• The Front Emblem: The large, applied silver relief on the front is not the Russian Imperial Eagle. Instead, it appears to be a Heraldic Shield featuring a single eagle (or possibly a griffin) with spread wings, topped by a crown. This style of heraldry is more typical of Polish or German coats of arms rather than the Russian state seal.
• The Lion Motif: The theme is lions.
  • Finial: A cast silver lion stands atop the hinged lid.
  • Sides: High-relief lion masks with rings in their mouths decorate the sides.
  • Feet: The box rests on four ball feet.

Markings

Analysis of the marks:

• The “84” Mark: This is the standard mark for 875 Silver (84 Zolotniks), which was used in the Russian Empire (which included parts of Poland at the time) until the revolution.
• The Style Issue: The construction style—a simple heavy box with applied, soldered-on decorations—is very typical of Polish silver workshops (like those in Warsaw) from the late 19th or early 20th century. Polish silversmiths often used the “84” standard because they were part of the Russian Empire, but their style was distinct.

Summary: This is a Polish/Russian Empire Silver (84 Zolotnik) inkstand, featuring a heraldic crest and lion motifs. It dates to the late 19th or early 20th century, but the specific “applied” style suggests it may be from a Warsaw maker rather than a Moscow or St. Petersburg firm.