Master's Mark of Vasily Matveev Kunkin - Moscow - initials "VK"

Hallmarks-Masters

Initials: VK
Year: 1726-1751
Shape: Rectangle
Items: Chased icon revetments, chalices, a cross, GIM; icon revetments, GRM; eight items, NGM.
Description: Vasily Matveev Kunkin (b. 1726, d. 1861), master silversmith, Moscow merchant of the 1st guild; from 1745-1751 owner of a workshop where he and his masters studied niello work under M. Klimshin and enameling under Ya. Popov; from 1752, Kunkin is referred to as the 'factory producer,' with a workforce of about 70; from 1751, Kunkin held a monopoly on the production of religious cult objects from gold and silver. A rectangular-shaped mark depicting the master's initials 'VK'. Items: chased icon revetments, chalices, a cross, GIM; icon revetments, GRM; eight items, NGM. Shape: Rectangle