RUSSIAN IMPERIAL SILVER LETTER OPENER, OVCHINNIKOV

RUSSIAN IMPERIAL SILVER LETTER OPENER, OVCHINNIKOV
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL REPOUSSE SILVER LETTER OPENER, OVCHINNIKOV
The handle of the knife is decorated with engraving in the style of Ivan Bilibin.
It is depicting the wooden hut in the forest, on the roof of which a huge owl spread its wings.
Russian hallmarks on the blade, 84 silver standard and OVCHINNIKOV in Cirylic for workmaster.
SIZE: L. 8 1/4 inches (21 cm). Weight: 3 oz. (86 gr).
ESTIMATE PRICE: $2000 - $3000.
HISTORY of SALES: A few years ago Russian Imperial silver letter openers were sold on Live Auctioneer for $2900, $3600 and $6000 - please see the screenshots.
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HISTORY: Jeweller, silversmith, goldsmith, enameller, merchant, industrialist. Born in the family of a serf called Akim Ovchinnikov in the village of Otradnoe in Moscow Province (1830). Sent by Prince Dmitry Volkonsky to study in Moscow (1842), where he served as an apprentice in the jewellery workshop of his brother Andrei (1844-50). Emancipated from serfdom (1850) and married a woman called Marfa (1850). Opened his own workshop with his wife's dowry of a thousand roubles (1851). Acquired his brother's workshop and opened a factory on First Goncharny (Potters) Lane in Taganka (1853). Employed a staff of four hundred (1854) and six hundred craftsmen and apprentices (1855). Appointed official purveyor to the future Tsar Alexander III (1865), King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy (1873), Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich (1878) and King Christian IX of Denmark (1888). Awarded the Legion d'honneur (1867) and the Order of the Iron Crown (1873). Founded a school for 130 goldsmiths and silversmiths (1871). Opened a factory and shops in St Petersburg at 35 Bolshaya Morskaya Street (1873) and the former premises of Sazikov at 29 Bolshaya Morskaya Street (1900). Member of the Moscow City Duma (1876-88). Died and buried at Kalitniki (Moneybags) Cemetery in Moscow (1888), where his work was continued by his sons Mikhail, Alexander, Pavel and Nikolai (1888-1917). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1865).