Fine antique to vintage likely Russian hallmarked .875 "sterling" silver & vermeil tea cup with niello decoration & gold rimmed, possibly French, glass cup insert! This is a particularly attractive example of a Russian style silver tea glass holder, known as a podstakannik (подстаканник). The hallmarks are difficult to decipher but likely a late Imperial Russian or Russian inspired silver gilt or vermeil holder, probably late 19th to early 20th century with elaborate pierced floral scrollwork, dark niello decoration and a gold-rimmed glass insert. The hallmarks are there but I simply can't make them out. If any of you recognize them, we'd appreciate your insight. A beautiful piece!
Very good condition! Everything visible in the enlarged images so look and enjoy! A few small wear spots to the gold rim but no chips or cracks. Some tarnish visible here and there but no damage or repairs to the silder other than some slight wear or fading to the vermeil in areas.
