Ivan Britzin, a fine enamel and garnet gum pot, Russia, circ...

Estimate

£250 - £350

Ivan Britzin, a fine enamel and garnet gum pot, Russia, circa 1905, of high domed form, applied with light blue guilloché enamel, holding a brush, its handle capped with a cabochon garnet forming the lid, mounted in silver and gold, height approximately 5.5cm, base with Russian 88 zolotnik assay mark for silver, workmaster's mark for Ivan Britzin, gross weight approximately 50 grams

Ivan Britzin (active circa 1870-1917) was an accomplished jeweller and goldsmith, and a respected peer of Fabergé, whose works were retailed internationally by jewellers such as Marchak in Kyiv and Noble & Co. in London, with examples held in the Royal Collection.

This pot was intended to hold gum Arabic, an adhesive used to attach postage stamps to letters, which could be applied with the garnet-topped brush. For a closely comparable design by Fabergé, see Christie's London, 8th June 2010, lot 147.