A figural silver-gilt tankard, Nichols and Plinke, St Petersburg, 1866

the body decorated with applied and engraved interlinking tree branches, leaf clusters and acorns, the handle in the shape of a thick winding branch with leafy vines curving around its surface, the feet and lid similarly decorated, the rim chased with ribbon-tied acanthus leaves, surmounted by a curved branch finial sprouting from grape vines, gilt interior, the lid and base struck with maker's mark, 84 standard

height 23 cm; 9 in.