Silver goblet with coconut bowl trimmed in silver and adored with carved decor in the form of two stamps with the images of a double-headed eagle under the Imperial crown and monogram "E I". The silver frame on the crown of the bowl and its conical base, which passes into the standing, the leg is decorated with a bead moulding and scalloped rim with rosettes. The base is adorned with chased floral ornament of curls and acanthus leaves.

The presented coconut goblet is an original historical example of the first third of the 18th century, which has a memorial meaning, determined by the personified transcription of the bowl decoration.

It can be assumed that the monogram "E I" belongs to the representative of the Russian ruling dynasty, Catherine Ioannovna Romanova (1691-1733) - the princess, the daughter of Tsar Ivan V Alekseevich and Tsaritsa Praskovia Fedorovna Saltykova, the elder sister of Empress Anna Ioannovna, the niece of Emperor Peter I. In the 18th century (the period from 1725 to 1762 years) the history of Russia was marked by the race of power between noble power houses. Since Peter, the Great did not leave the decree, according to which the throne would be inherited by the indicated person, in the context of the current decree on succession to the throne (1722) from the end of 1727 up to February 1730, the power in the country was held by representatives of the noble aristocracy, who headed the Supreme Privy Council, which replaced the Senate. After the brief reign of Peter II (1727-1730), it was the Supreme Privy Council that considered, as a possible pretender to the throne, the niece of Emperor Peter I, Ekaterina Ioannovna Romanova. But the proposed candidature was rejected because of the preapprehension interference of her husband, the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Karl Leopold in the matteras of State. After all, her younger sister Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740) was elected the Empress by the decision of the Supreme Privy Council. Perhaps, the presented coconut cup was created at a certain point in the Princess's life when her "sovereign" perspective was considered. The rapidity of the political plan prevented its full artistic embodiment in the form of a memorable coconut goblet in precious frames. It seems that its creation stopped at the level of making a coconut bowl with heraldic symbols.

It is known that the interest in coconut in Russia was caused in the 18th century due to the fascination by exotic materials. The fashion came from Europe. Therefore, was used, as a rule, for manufacturing the exceptional products from the point of view of artistic ideology and semantic depiction. Despite the fact that Catherine Ioannovna did not become the Empress, she retained her status as the elder sister of the Empress Anna Ioannovna. The frame in the form of basement might be taken from another object, probably of German origin, what allowed to save not only the cup, by fixing it on the base, but the "memory" from the history of the Russian Imperial House as well.

minimize...