Inkstand with candlesticks
Moscow, 1883
Firm of P. Ovchinnikov
Silver, gilt, enamel
State Historical Museum, Moscow

Ovchinnikov Pavel Akimovich (1830-1888) founded one of the best Russian jeweller firms in 1853. In 1865 at All-Russia Exhibition of art and industry in Moscow, the firm was granted the highest title- supplier of Russian Imperial Court, attributed by Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich, future tsar Alexander III, and confirmed next years. This firm executed many works after the sketches "approved by His Majesty ". The firm was the supplier of many European royal and princely courts.

P.Ovchinnikov was a serf of Princes Volkonsky, due to his talent and diligence he created a firm becoming pride of Russian jewellery, and acquired public recognition. P.Ovchinnikov was Honorable hereditary citizen of Moscow, member of Moscow municipal Duma, member of the Department of Moscow Merchants, member of Moscow exchange committee, he was awarded with orders of St. Stanislav of the 3-rd class, St. Anna of the 2nd and 3rd class, of the Legion of Honor, of Iron crown, medals for Diligence and art and others.

P.Ovchinnikov was the head of the Moscow school of jewellery, one of the founders of national jewellery industry. The production of his firm was world known for the revival and development of national style, and perfect quality. From 1865 the firm took part in Russian and world exhibitions, its production was always awarded with gold and silver medals. After P.Ovchinnikov's death his sons took over the firm. In 1917 the firm ceased treading.

The second half of the 19th — early 20th centuries was the best period of enamel art. Russian style was brightly expressed in this kind of jewellery. The palette with more than hundred colors and the ornaments became extremely rich; there were also new ways of connecting enamel with precious metal. Works of the 1870s-1890s executed in traditions of Russian richly patterned enamel are very beautiful. Ornaments from the hand-written books, from "The Antiquities of the Russian State", from illustrated editions on Old Russian art, were used for decoration of the most different objects — icon mounts, folded multi-pieces icons, liturgical sets, utensils, caskets, desk pads, etc.