The silver ladle is one of the so-called bestowed ladles, characteristic of the end of the 17th century, and was gifted by the tsars Ivan and Peter to Fedor Cherepanov. Fedor Cherepanov, who served as the customs head, was awarded for the large sum he earned when collecting duties from ‘drinking sales’ (from taverns). The award was given by a royal decree from the Order of Silver Affairs.

The ladle was installed in the Kholmogory Transfiguration Cathedral, by whom and under what circumstances is unknown. After the episcopal department was transferred to Arkhangelsk, the ladle, along with other relics, was moved to the sacristy of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where it was used to bless the water on great church holidays. It entered the museum in 1926.

The ladle has a low, wide body. The handle is low, flat, and bent at a right angle. At the bottom is a round target with a hammered image of a two-headed eagle among carved herbs. On the handle there is also a double-headed eagle and a carved floral ornament that goes down to the bottom of the bowl and along the edge from the inside.

Such ladles, in appearance resembling a floating bird, from ancient times have been an attribute of life in Russia. There is a theory that this particular shape first appeared in the Russian North. Silver drinking ladles were created by masters of Veliky Novgorod since the 14th century. In the 17th century, silver ladles were used as honorary awards for personal and state merits, and lost their practical application.

“Bestowed” ladles were made by masters of the sovereign Silver Chamber according to established standards. The size of the object depended on the merits of the awarded. Ladles were lavishly decorated with complex ornaments, precious stones and gilding, and were also equipped with the obligatory image of a two-headed eagle and skillfully created inscription indicating the royal titles, and the name and merits of the awarded.