An 18th century Russian silver mounted Great Green Turban Shell jug.
From a small group of Russian objects, usually made as snuff boxes, adapted from turban shell wine cups imported from China. These objects are distinguished from other Russian and Western European silver-mounted shell pieces by the carved “feet” to the underside, intended to allow the cup to stand. In this example, one of the original feet has been shaved down to allow for the addition of silver legs.
Related snuff boxes are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Hermitage Museum.
£3,250
