A rare Caucasian silver and nielloed “azarpeshi” wine ladle, of traditional form, circular-profiled bowl, floral-ornamentation attaching the long handle with cusped terminal, decorated with flowers and geometric patterns. The reverse of the bowl marked with three Georgian identical silver control marks. Georgia, 18th century. Weight 274 g. L. 34.5 cm.
A wine ladle like this was used for e.g. weddings, where each drinker had a ladle to drink of from a common bowl. This particular wine ladle can be dated to the reign of King Heracluis II of Georgia (1762–1798). He gained power over a united Georgia, but shortly after his death the country was taken over by Russia.