Silver and Jade Bogatyr Inkwell

19^th Century Imperial Russian inkwell made by one of the most prominent Russian silversmiths, Ivan Khlebnikov. A square base of polished jade is mounted on four silver legs in the shape of lion’s paws. The upper part is made of silver in the shape of a Russian bogatyr’s head; the upper part of the head with a helmet opens. Inside is a hollow gilded ink container.

Hallmarks: 84 Russian silver standard, maker’s initials IH (Cyrillic). Ivan Khlebnikov (1819-1881) was working in St. Petersburg and Moscow, was supplier of grand dukes Konstantin Nikolaevich (since 1872), Vladimir Alexandrovich (since 1877) and Imperial Court (since 1881). After I. Khlebnikov’s death the business was carried on by his sons: Mikhail, Alexei, Nikolai and Vladimir.