An antique processional cross in a silver riza.

An antique processional cross with the Crucifixion of the Savior and the image of the Holy Prophet of God Elijah, in a silver riza of exquisite workmanship. 17th-century cross. The riza was made by the Factory of the Supplier to the Imperial Court of His Imperial Majesty, the A.M. Postnikov Partnership. Russian Empire, Moscow, 1882.

Materials: wood (cypress); pavoloka, gesso, tempera, silver, gilding. Riza: silver of “88” fineness, gilding. Technical execution: casting, chasing, hand engraving with a burin, grinding, polishing, kanfarenie (decorative hammering), finishing, assembly. Cross dimensions: Height – 35 cm. Width – 16 cm. Thickness – 1.5 cm. Silver riza dimensions: Height – 26 cm. Width – 16 cm. Thickness – 1.8 cm. Silver weight – 180 grams. Hallmarks: “88” fineness with the coat of arms of the city of Moscow (“Saint George the Victorious slaying the dragon”) with the initials of the assay master “I.K.” (unknown Moscow assayer) above the date “1882”; factory – “A. Postnikov” under the Imperial double-headed eagle (mark of the Supplier to His Imperial Majesty’s Court).

The cross is in its original walnut wood case with a fitted insert. Condition: in very good collectible preservation, craquelure on the painted layer. MUSEUM LEVEL! Represents antique, collectible, and artistic value.

• POSTNIKOV Andrey Mikhailovich, merchant, founder of the factory for gold, silver, and bronze items, established in 1868. His father traded in religious items since 1825. 1870: merchant guild register, 2nd guild merchant, 40 years old, in trade since 1865, and his father since 1825. Address: Mother’s house at the Church of the Holy Trinity. In 1870: 63 workers, 24 minors, annual turnover: 250,000 rubles. In 1870, a school was opened at the factory for 47 students with a 6-year curriculum. Participant in the 1870 exhibition in St. Petersburg, where he received a bronze medal; participant in the Vienna exhibition in 1873; in 1882 at the Moscow exhibition received a gold medal and the Order of St. Anna, 2nd class. Participant in the 1876 Philadelphia exhibition. At the Antwerp exhibition in 1885, received an honorary diploma. In 1900 at the Paris exhibition received a bronze medal. The partnership since 1886, initial capital 330,000 rubles. Suppliers to the Imperial Court, the court of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, the King of England; medals and honorary diplomas at Russian and international exhibitions 1865–1880. There is mention of the Postnikov firm in 1826. The firm was known until 1917. The store had a large selection of silver items: rizas, covers, church utensils, folding icons, dishes, albums, writing sets, vases, clocks, mugs, cups, sets, and other large and small items. In 1870, a special school for training master jewelers for 47 students was opened at the factory. 1889: Kuznetsky Most, Popov’s house. 1895–1910: factory, management: Andrey Mikhailovich – director, directors: Alexey Andreevich and Dmitry Andreevich. Address: St. Petersburg Highway, beyond the Tver Outpost, own building; store: Tverskaya, Postnikov’s arcade. Sons: Alexander, Alexey, Nikolay, Dmitry. Postnikova–Loseva: hallmarks Nos. 2229–2232.