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Delightful Russian souvenir spoon. Memento of
Paris World's Fair 1899-1900. This is the landmark fair that coincided
with the very first opening of the Paris Metro (underground) as well as
a new bridge, the Pont Alexandre III, named after the late Tzar of Russia.
The spoon bowl is engraved "Paris, 1899.' The reverse of the spoon is
worked in enamel. It is six inches in length, vermeil with very fine Russian
decorative enameled work. Some of the work in enameled silver is wonderfully
intricate in construction, and so delicate as to be almos transparent.
The skill required in its manufacture is very considerable, and it is
said that an entire piece may be destroyed by the least error in pouring
the melted enamel into the last of many infinitesimal spaces.
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