A Continental Silver Figural Centerpiece, circa 1882-1898
Marks: 875.M, (84-logotype-?T)
14 inches high (35.6 cm)
26.43 troy ounces

The centerpiece having highly detailed standard in the form of a palm tree, fronds arching downwards, foot of tree surrounded by various foliage and ostrich, four-sided pyramidal base embellished with scrollwork to corners and engraved ZGS to front cartouche, raised on four scrolled feet between lower floral aprons.

Note: This form is closely related to Australian examples of the same period that bear cut-glass bowls above the standard. The .875 standard is recorded to have been used by several Baltic states, Finland, Poland, Switzerland, Romania, and Latvia. The centerpiece carries a special hallmark used in Russia between 1882-1898 to denoted imported silver. The mark indicated the fineness, town of importation, and ?? (abbreviated Cyrillic for 'imported goods.')

Standard with slight bend and missing bowl above, foliage to lower apron trim with bending, light dent to upper bowl flange, one leaf tip missing from upper palm frond, scattered pin dents, otherwise with surface scratches commensurate with age, polishing, and use.