Antique Imperial 84 Silver Besamim Spice Tower Fabergé Kf Judaica 134g

Details

Description

Up for your consideration is an exceptionally rare, museum-grade Imperial Russian 84 zolotnik (.875 purity) silver Havdalah Besamim (spice) tower. … Read more Up for your consideration is an exceptionally rare, museum-grade Imperial Russian 84 zolotnik (.875 purity) silver Havdalah Besamim (spice) tower. This extraordinary piece bears the highly coveted Cyrillic maker's mark "КФ" for the world-renowned House of Karl Fabergé alongside the 84 silver standard mark on the outer rim of the base.

Unlike typical, fragile wirework filigree spice boxes of this era, this tower is extraordinarily heavy and incredibly robust, weighing a dense 134 grams. It features a stunning dome base worked with stylized, chased leaf panels, rising to a tapering open-work filigree stem. The central cylindrical spice chamber is masterfully constructed with thick, tightly woven silver scrollwork and features a hinged, arched door that opens and latches securely. The chamber is topped by a chased foliate dome, a secondary tiered tower, and a rotating filigree flag finial.

This is an investment-grade masterpiece of Russian Judaica that perfectly exemplifies the supreme quality of the Imperial Court Jeweler.

Origin, Age & Material
Origin: Moscow, Imperial Russia

Maker: House of Karl Fabergé (Cyrillic maker's mark "КФ")

Age: Late Imperial Period, circa 1899–1908

Material: Solid 84 Zolotnik Silver (.875 Purity)

Weight: 134 Grams (highly substantial and unusually heavy for filigree)

Dimensions: Height: 6.75" | Base Diameter: 1.25"

Reference
Book Title: Jewish Ceremonial Art
Author: Joseph Gutmann
Page Reference: Page 72 (For discussion on the evolution of the architectural tower form in Eastern European and Imperial Russian silversmithing)

Historical Provenance & Design Significance
This piece represents a rare intersection of Russian Imperial high-style decorative arts and Eastern European Jewish ceremonial tradition. Crafted by the workshop of Karl Fabergé (bearing the prestigious Cyrillic “КФ” mark), it captures the late-19th-century historicist movement. While most Judaica from this period was fabricated in local Polish or Ukrainian workshops utilizing extremely lightweight, bendable silver wire, this piece was engineered within one of the world's premier luxury ateliers. Its incredible heft, sculptural density, and flawless architectural balance make it as much a triumph of European silversmithing as it is a sacred ceremonial object.

Curator's Note
For the discerning interior designer, this antique Russian silver spice tower brings unmatched historical narrative and architectural elegance to any curated space. Unlike typical delicate filigree, its remarkable 134-gram density gives it an imposing, tactile presence. Perfect for bringing reflective texture and old-world sophistication to a library mantel, an étagère, or a dining room sideboard vignette. See less