Vintage Soviet 875 Silver Gilt Salt Cellar, Tallinn 1967

A beautifully made vintage Soviet 875 silver salt cellar with a richly gilded interior, dating to the 1960s. This small footed piece has a refined bowl form, stylised legs and repoussé ornamentation, giving it both functional and decorative appeal.

The piece is marked 875 for silver purity and bears a Soviet star hallmark with hammer and sickle. The maker’s mark ТФ7 is most likely associated with the Tallinn Jewelry Factory, Estonia, USSR, with the final digit indicating 1967 under the Soviet marking system. Compact and well finished, it is an appealing piece for collectors of Soviet silver, Russian silver and small decorative silver tableware.

Details

Item: Salt cellar / small footed bowl
Origin: USSR, likely Estonia
Maker / Factory: Likely Tallinn Jewelry Factory
Maker’s Mark: ТФ7
Date / Period: 1967, Soviet period
Material: Solid 875 silver
Interior: Original gold gilt wash
Decoration: Repoussé ornamentation with stylised legs
Dimensions: Diameter 3.5 cm, height 2.5 cm
Weight: 15.6 grams
Condition: Excellent vintage condition

Condition

Excellent vintage condition with age-related patina. No dents or repairs noted. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

Historical and Collector Context

Soviet silver from the mid-20th century is collected for its distinctive hallmarking system, silver standards and regional factory production. The 875 silver standard was widely used across the USSR and corresponds to the traditional Russian 84 zolotnik silver standard.

From 1958, Soviet silver hallmarks used the five-pointed star with hammer and sickle, replacing the earlier worker’s head mark. Maker’s marks from this period commonly included factory initials and a date digit, helping to identify both production period and, in some cases, the factory.

This salt cellar is a fine small example of Soviet 875 silver tableware, combining practical use with attractive gilt interior decoration. Its compact scale, footed form and Soviet hallmark interest make it suitable for collectors of Russian silver, USSR decorative objects and miniature silver tableware.

A charming and collectible Soviet silver salt cellar, ideal for display, table use or a specialised silver collection.