Imperial Russian Troika Cossack Antique Brooch - 84 Silver, 1800s 3horses

Antique 1800s Famous Russian Troika Cossack 84 Silver Brooch Pin 3 Horses Sleigh Antique 1800s, Pre-Revolutionary Russia. The brooch was hand crafted of few tridimensional pieces attached together which makes this rare piece exceptionally beautiful and intricate. Has a makers Cyrillic hallmark and 84 silver mark. Tested positive on silver. Measurements: 5.5 cm length 2.5 cm wide About Russian Troika: A troika (Russian: , "triplet" or "trio") is a traditional Russian harness driving combination, using three horses abreast, usually pulling a sleigh. It differs from most other three-horse combinations in that the horses are harnessed abreast. The middle horse is usually harnessed in a horse collar and shaft bow; the side horses are usually in breasts collar harness. The troika is traditionally driven so that the middle horse trots and the side horses canter; the right-hand horse will be on the right lead and the left-hand horse on the left lead. The troika is often claimed to be the world's only harness combination with different gaits of the horses. At full speed a troika can reach 4550 kilometres per hour (2831 mph), which was a very high speed on land for vehicles in the 17th19th centuries, making the troika closely associated with the fast ride. The troika was developed in Russia during the 17th century, first being used for speedy delivering of mail and then having become common by the late 18th century. It was used for travelling in stages where teams of tired horses could be exchanged for fresh animals to transport loads over long distances. Prior to this time, only groups of three or more people could use three horses, and a single person or two people had the right to only drive a single horse or a pair. During the Russian Empire, the upper classes would use a troika driven by a livery-clad postilion.Decorated troikas were popular in major religious celebrations and weddings. The troika was a part of both urban and rural culture. The first troika competitions were held in the Moscow hippodrome in 1840. The troika was also exhibited at the 1911 Festival of Empire in London.