Pavel Ovchinnikov – silver and goldsmith

Allrus Art
The central decoration for the table is made of silver with gilding and champlevé enamel, the leg rests on six columns and supports a bowl and twelve glasses of cranberry, on the sides there are two more glasses on a stepped pedestal. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1875
The central decoration for the table is made of silver with gilding and champlevé enamel, the leg rests on six columns and supports a bowl and twelve glasses of cranberry, on the sides there are two more glasses on a stepped pedestal. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1875

Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov, a native of peasants, the serf of Prince Volkonsky. As a twelve-year-old teenager, he was sent by the owner to develop his artistic abilities to Moscow, to a workshop for the production of gold and silver items, which belonged to his brother.

He went from an apprentice to a goldsmith. Having received his freedom, Pavel married and, with his wife’s dowry, organized his own firm of gold and silver products in Moscow.

By 1870, the factory employed ninety craftsmen, it brought in more than 250 thousand rubles a year in income and became one of the main jewelry enterprises in Moscow. The products of the Ovchinnikov factory were distinguished by their pronounced national design and high quality workmanship.

Egg-shaped box made of silver, decorated with cloisonné and champlevé enamel. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1882. The oval box was ordered as a gift for the 25th wedding anniversary. This is evidenced by the figurine of a seated putti holding a floral wreath with golden Roman numerals XXV.
Egg-shaped box made of silver, decorated with cloisonné and champlevé enamel. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1882. The oval box was ordered as a gift for the 25th wedding anniversary. This is evidenced by the figurine of a seated putti holding a floral wreath with golden Roman numerals XXV.

In the first years, Ovchinnikov’s factory produced items for worship, later the company began to produce household items: silverware, sets, sugar bowls, wine sets, broths, ladles, paperweights, cigarette cases, ink utensils, boxes, sculptural groups.

Ovchinnikov’s jewelry production has repeatedly been the executor of large state orders for the imperial court. Since 1865, the company has received the highest status of “court workshop”.

The products of the Ovchinnikov factory were very popular not only within the country. The firm also gained international fame for its technically daring enamel work, gaining recognition at the 1893 World Exhibitions in Chicago and 1900 in Paris.

An oak jewelry box, trimmed with silver and precious stones, in the style of a tower of the 16th-17th centuries. The lid has a secret compartment, the inner part is upholstered with fabric lining. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1908-1917
An oak jewelry box, trimmed with silver and precious stones, in the style of a tower of the 16th-17th centuries. The lid has a secret compartment, the inner part is upholstered with fabric lining. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1908-1917

After the death of Pavel Akimovich in 1888, the business was continued by his sons: Mikhail, Alexander, Pavel and Nikolai.

Mikhail Pavlovich, heading the St. Petersburg branch of the firm, became a senior in the business. Alexander Pavlovich ran a factory and a store in Moscow. The personal achievements of the brothers also made a significant contribution to the development of the family business: Mikhail Pavlovich for a long time was a permanent member of the Council of the Imperial Stroganov School. His brother Pavel Pavlovich graduated from the same educational institution in 1886 with honors.

In many ways, the products of Ovchinnikov’s masters were trendsetters, often not only continuing the established traditions, but also forming new trends in silver and gold business of the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Silver mug with lid, gilded, patterned with lush vegetation and landscape. The lid is crowned with a molded tip in the shape of a hunter with a dog. Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1866
Silver mug with lid, gilded, patterned with lush vegetation and landscape. The lid is crowned with a molded tip in the shape of a hunter with a dog. Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1866
Silver jug ​​in
Silver jug ​​in “Japanese style”. Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1882. The style of the jug is reminiscent of the silverware of the American firms Ttiffany and Gorham of the late 19th century.
Silver-gilded icon of the Mother of God
Silver-gilded icon of the Mother of God “The Joy of the Suffering”, decorated with cloisonné enamel. Moscow, 1899-1908
The corners of the icon are decorated with bright cabochons on an enamel ornament. The hallmarks of Ivan Alekseevich Alekseev and Ovchinnikov as a retailer.
A crystal boat with a silver frame in the form of a figured group Fight of Ruslan with the head. P. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1908-1917
A crystal boat with a silver frame in the form of a figured group Fight of Ruslan with the head. P. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1908-1917
A set for spices made of silver and crystal, decorated with an ornament in the Russian style. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1874
A set for spices made of silver and crystal, decorated with an ornament in the Russian style. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1874
Album with photographs in a silver frame, Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1899-1908
Album with photographs in a silver frame, Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1899-1908
An exquisite gilded tea and coffee set made of silver and niello. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1874
An exquisite gilded tea and coffee set made of silver and niello. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1874
Large silver service of Prince Sergei Golitsyn in the Russian Rococo style. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1887
Large silver service of Prince Sergei Golitsyn in the Russian Rococo style. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1887
Magnificent gilded silver tea and coffee service, Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1870-1871
Magnificent gilded silver tea and coffee service, Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1870-1871
Ovchinnikov Pavel Akimovich (1830-1888)
Ovchinnikov Pavel Akimovich (1830-1888)
Silver cigar case with gilding and precious stones of various colors and cuts, including garnet, tourmaline, sapphire and ruby. Ovchinnikov, 1899-1903
Silver cigar case with gilding and precious stones of various colors and cuts, including garnet, tourmaline, sapphire and ruby. Ovchinnikov, 1899-1903
Silver dish in the style of Trompe L'oeil in the form of a wicker basket covered with a napkin. P. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1872
Silver dish in the style of Trompe L’oeil in the form of a wicker basket covered with a napkin. P. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1872
Silver figurine. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1893
Silver figurine. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1893
Silver gilded dish in Trompe L'oeil style in the form of a vine basket with a napkin. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1870
Silver gilded dish in Trompe L’oeil style in the form of a vine basket with a napkin. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1870
Silver mug with gilding. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1878
Silver mug with gilding. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1878
Silver salt shaker in the shape of a swan. Ovchinnikov, St. Petersburg, late 19th century.
Silver salt shaker in the shape of a swan. Ovchinnikov, St. Petersburg, late 19th century.
Silver salt shaker with gilding and enamel in the style of Trompe L'oeil in the form of a cake on a napkin over a saucer. P. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, late 19th century.
Silver salt shaker with gilding and enamel in the style of Trompe L’oeil in the form of a cake on a napkin over a saucer. P. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, late 19th century.
Table centerpiece in silver with gilding and champlevé enamel. Moscow, 1875
Table centerpiece in silver with gilding and champlevé enamel. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1875
Tea and coffee service with gilding and niello, St. Petersburg, 1868
Tea and coffee service with gilding and niello, Pavel Ovchinnikov, St. Petersburg, 1868
Trompe L'oeil silver mug with rustic look over imitation birch bark. Moscow, 1867
Trompe L’oeil silver mug with rustic look over imitation birch bark. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1867
Two silver caddies with engraved ornament. Moscow, 1890
Two silver caddies with engraved ornament. Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1890
Writing set made of marble, crystal and silver. St. Petersburg, 1896
Writing set made of marble, crystal and silver. Ovchinnikov, St. Petersburg, 1896