Swedish born Roland Mellin (1803-1871) became a master goldsmith in Gelsingfors (Helsinki) in 1833, then founded the firm of Roland Mellin, the preeminent Finnish firm of gold and silversmiths in the 19th Century. His son Otto Roland Mellin (1834 -1904) was among the foundation graduates of the Technical Realschule in Gelsingfors, where classes commenced in 1858. He continued his studies in St Petersburg and Paris, and succeeded his father in their firm in 1868. Otto is best known for his Archaeological Revival jewellery based on Nordic artefacts. Among his claims to fame was his position as court jeweller to Finnish born Aurora Karamzina, a long-time member of the inner circle of the Romanovs (the Russian Emperors ruled the Grand Duchy of Finland as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire from 1809 to 1917).
Workshop marks.
Gold.
Silver.
Badges of Excellence for Faultless Service.
Silver, gilding.
Size 28.8×33 mm.
Year mark A4 = 1882.
Workshop marks.
Gold.
Silver.
Badges of Excellence for Faultless Service.
Silver, gilding.
Size 28.8×33 mm.
Year mark A4 = 1882.