Russian Silver Trompe-L'œil Vodka Set

Nicholas II Russian 84 zolotnik (875 standard) silver trompe-l'œil vodka set, St Petersburg 1895 by P.L, possibly Pavel Fomich Larinen (active circa 1896/1900 St Petersburg, Finnish born) comprising a frosted glass bottle within a silver container modelled as a wickerwork sack tied at the neck with cord from which hang six silver cups similarly formed as sacks. The bottle with lid imitating foil and wire of a champagne bottle. All items marked, the main coaster with assay master mark A Ш (unidentified Postnikova-Loseva # 1192). Ivanov does not list a P.L or PL, it is possible that this is an early mark for Larinen before he used his cyrillic version as recorded in Ivanov (2307), who records mentions in 1896 and 1900. Provenance: from a Finnish family who also have a different item which has been ascribed to Larinen thence by descent this is likely to also be Larinen. For a similar six cup set with bottle, see Christies, Russian Works of Art, New York, 15th April 2013, Lot 78 ($30,000) For a similar two cup vodka set by Vasily Ivanov, sold Christies, South Kensington, 30th June 2015 Lot 263 For a very similar vodka set with frosted glass bottle and eight charki marked for St Petersburg, 1899-1908 by PD (cyrillic) illustrated in 'Russian Gold and Silversmith 17th-19th century', Alexander von Solodkoff, Rizzoli, New York 1981, p.173, plate 220.