Kovsh (Primary Title)
Monumental Kovsh (Former Title)
Fabergé firm, Russian, 1842 - 1917 (Manufacturer)
A kovsh is a traditional Russian drinking vessel, usually small and boat-shaped with a single handle. Early versions were made of wood, but by the 16th century, gold and silver were also used. This monumental kovsh is one of the finest surviving silver pieces made by the Fabergé firm. Combining traditional Russian images with swirling Art Nouveau designs, this large vessel is adorned with semiprecious Siberian gemstones. The prow of this kovsh features a charging group of bogatyri, the heroic medieval warriors who served Grand Prince Vladimir in ancient Kiev, including the three most famous: Il’ia Muromets, Alësha Popovich, and Dobrynia Nikitich.
French control mark applied after manufacture (no date).
Imperial warrant mark of K. Fabergé; assay mark of Moscow 1899-1908; Weevil mark, French import mark in use from 1893, indicates that the Kovsh could be an official Russian gift to France.
Jerome and Rita Gans Collection of Silver
Fabergé Revealed, Palace Museum, Beijing, China, April 16 - July 17, 2016
Fabergé: Jeweler to the Tsars, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, June 20 – September 27, 2015
Fabergé Revealed, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 14, 2014 - May 25, 2015
Fabulous Fabergé, Jeweler to the Czars, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, June 14 - October 12, 2014
Fabergé Revealed, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, June 22 - September 29, 2013
Fabergé: The Rise and Fall, Detroit Institute of Art, October 14, 2012 - January 21, 2013
Lillian Thomas Pratt Collection of Fabergé, coinciding with Fabergé in America, Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 12 - April 18, 1996, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, May 25 - July 28, 1996, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, August 24 - November 10, 1996, New Orleans Museum of Art, December 7, 1996 - February 8, 1997, Cleveland Museum of Art, March 12 - May 11, 1997
Fabergé: Jeweler to the Tsars, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, June 20 – September 27, 2015
Fabergé Revealed, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 14, 2014 - May 25, 2015
Fabulous Fabergé, Jeweler to the Czars, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, June 14 - October 12, 2014
Fabergé Revealed, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, June 22 - September 29, 2013
Fabergé: The Rise and Fall, Detroit Institute of Art, October 14, 2012 - January 21, 2013
Lillian Thomas Pratt Collection of Fabergé, coinciding with Fabergé in America, Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 12 - April 18, 1996, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, May 25 - July 28, 1996, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, August 24 - November 10, 1996, New Orleans Museum of Art, December 7, 1996 - February 8, 1997, Cleveland Museum of Art, March 12 - May 11, 1997
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
