A Russian silver-jug modeled as a hunting horn with a bear's head, marked VAILLANT, St. Petersburg 1858.
Parcel-gilt. Decorated with a bear's head and claws in a trap. Handle with rope and tassels. Height 33 cm, weight 1.430 grams.
Provenance
The silver-jug was the first price at the Helsinki Regatta in 1885 - and was given to the first years winner Emil Standertskjölds boat "Nanna". Emil Standertskjöld was the brother of the sellers grandfathers father. The tradition says that the jug was given by Tsar Alexander III of Russia.
More information
Vaillant was one of the most esteemed silversmiths of the period and established himself as a leading St. Petersburg silversmith after arriving in 1842. His skill in producing figurative silver led to Imperial commissions requiring the skill of a talented sculptor as well as silversmith.
A Yacht Club at this time was considerate to be the most elite and exclusive private club one could be a member of. When the Russian Imperial Yacht Club held there first regatta in 1847, Jean-Baptiste Vaillant created the trophy.