This set of silver trompe l’œil salts was made by the Grachev Brothers of St. Petersburg, Principal Supplier to the Russian Imperial and Grand Ducal Courts, and one of the most prominent 19th century silver firms in Russia. The service was presented to Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia (1853-1920), second daughter of Tsar Alexander II and wife of Prince Alfred Ernest Saxe-Coburg, Duke of Edinburgh, and second son of Queen Victoria, and their children in 1888. The exterior of each salt is chased to simulate the texture of woven birchbark, recalling the plaited sandals or lapti worn by peasants in Russia’s north and east. Each salt cellar has a gilded interior.

The bases are variously engraved 1888 and

• Marie for HRIH Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna (1853-1920)
• Alfred for HRH Prince Alfred (b. 1874)
• Marie for HRH Princess Marie (later Queen of Romania) (b. 1875)
• Victoria for HRH Princess Victoria Melita (b. 1876)
• Sandra for HRH Princess Alexandra (b. 1878)
• baby for HRH Princess Beatrice (b. 1884)

Together with six silver gilt salt spoons, each with a twisted stem. The set is contained in its original fitted oak box, the interior stamped with the Warrant of the Purveyor to the Grand Ducal Courts above Grachev St. Petersburg in Cyrillic.

The salts are stamped by workmaster V. Ivanov, St. Petersburg, circa 1888, the spoons with maker’s initials P.J.S., 84 for the Russian silver standard, and the crossed anchor and scepter hallmark for St. Petersburg.

Each salt: 1 x 1/3/4 in (h x w) (2.5 x 4.4 cm).

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