Description
Russian Harbin silver tea glass holder, glass & spoon in original fitted box – scarce circa 1900-1930th engraved podstakannik set. This type is rare this nice and complete.
An interesting and rare example of the antique classic Russian “Podstakannik” silver tableware from the long-gone era of the Russian enclave in Harbin, Northern China. In the late 1800th – early 1900th Chinese Harbin was the town with a large Russian community, mostly railroad employees & their families working for the Russian-owned Chinese Far Eastern Railway company. The Russians started the railroad construction in China in the 1890th; the railroad was serviced predominantly by the citizens of the Russian Empire. After the collapse of the Russian Empire and the Russian Civil War most of the railroad workers and their families remained in Harbin. After 1917 the city’s population increased by several folds due to the large number of White Russians escaping the communist regime in Soviet Russia. Harbin became the miniature “Russian oasis” in the Far-East, with numerous Russian-owned businesses, schools and even its own small, but well-trained and combat-hardened military force. After 1945 most “white Russians” had fled Harbin after the Chinese communists took over China. Today Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province.
This rare circa early 1900th set consists of one original “crystal-cut” tea glass, one engraved silver tea glass holder with whiplash handle, one engraved silver teaspoon, and the original maker’s hinged wood-and-padded interior fitted storage box. The case’s lid interior side is stamped BELSKI / HARBIN (Бельский / Харбин) in gold letters in pre-revolution Russian alphabet. The glass holder is engraved in the classical Russian folklore style depicting “bogatyr” warrior on a horseback with a sword drawn surrounded by vine scrolls. The holder’s bottom is hallmarked with the Russian “84 kokoshnik” silver fitness stamp and maker’s initials GSh (ЖШ); the interior is gilded. The glass holder’s “cup” is about 2-3/4” / 7 cm high by 2-7/8” / 73.3 cm wide at the top. The bottom is about 3-3/8” / 86.3 cm in diameter; about 6.7 oz / 190 grams without the glass. The teaspoon is hallmarked with the same Russian “84 kokoshnik” silver fitness stamp. The spoon is about 5-7/8” / 15 cm long; about 0.675 oz / 19.3 grams.
Both silver pieces have original goldish-gray patina throughout; this set is in excellent overall condition, considering the age. Not cleaned or tempered with, no scratches, dings or nicks on the glass holder or the spoon. These are the actual photos. This rare Russian Harbin silver tea glass holder is not a later reproduction or a copy; it is guaranteed to be 100% authentic or your money back. Scarce Russian Harbin silver tea glass holder set in general and very hard-to-find this nice and complete nowadays. Don’t miss your chance to add this rare Russian Harbin silver tea glass holder set to your collection! I have more Russian silver antiques, medals, badges, coins and military decorations in my store; please take a look at similar listings within Coins & Paper Money section.
Argocoins accepts all major credit cards and payments via PayPal as forms of payment. Please email me if you would like to make a credit card purchase over the phone. Old-fashioned checks and money orders will work as well; please take a look at the Payments section within our Terms and Conditions for additional details. Follow me on Facebook @argoman400BC to keep an eye on the latest additions and promotions.
USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. WILL BE $32 FOR THIS ITEM.
International shipping for this item will be $136 and up to most countries on our “ship-to” list. I do not ship to Russia under any circumstances!
