RUSSIAN IMPERIAL SILVER KNIFE HOLDER MARKED 'KF', 1908-1917 The cast and pierced supports decorated with laurel wreaths, '84' standard, town mark and workmaster's mark 'KF' in Cirillic. CONDITION: The item is described to the best of our knowledge. Please refer to pictures and email with any questions. SIZE: length 10 cm (4 in.), height: 2.5 cm (1 in.), weight: 29.7 g (0.95 ozt). ESTIMATE PRICE: $500 - $600. You have a GREAT CHANCE to purchase a unique item for your collection - over the years it will only INCREASE in price. OFFER: If an item is NOT SOLD, you can still give us a reasonable offer - please save the link of this page. Selling on consignment. PAY in PARTS: You can pay for any item during 2-3 months. Just make a deposit 10% and the item will wait for you. SHIPPING: Combined shipping is available - next item will be ONE DOLLAR for shipping. NEW: Returning customers will have 50% DISCOUNT on shipping. WIKIPEDIA: A silversmith is a metalworker who crafts objects from silver. The terms silversmith and goldsmith are not exactly synonyms as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are or were largely the same but the end product may vary greatly as may the scale of objects created. In the ancient Near East the value of silver to gold being less, allowed a silversmith to produce objects and store these as stock. Ogden states that according to an edict written by Diocletian in 301 A.D., a silversmith was able to charge 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 denarii for material produce (per Roman pound). At that time, guilds of silversmiths formed to arbitrate disputes, protect its members' welfare and educate the public of the trade. Silversmiths in medieval Europe and England formed guilds and transmitted their tools and techniques to new generations via the apprentice tradition. Silver working guilds often maintained consistency and upheld standards at the expense of innovation. Beginning in the 17th century, artisans emigrated to America and experienced fewer restrictions. As a result, silver working was one of the trades that helped to inaugurate the Technological and industrial history of the United States Silver-working shift to industrialization in America.
