The imitation of Chinese art and imagery, a style known as Chinoiserie, first became fashionable in Europe in the second half of the 17th century. Despite geographical proximity and trade with China, it wasn’t until the end of the 18th century that Russia began borrowing from East-Asian motifs, mostly due to Russia’s fascination, not with Chinese, but with French styles. Chinoiserie decoration was popular in Russia for a short time during the reign of Catherine the Great (1762-1796), and was often combined with French Rococo and other European motifs.
The unknown silversmith of this example has added their own take on the style adding Russian Orthodox buildings into the background of the decoration.
