This charming silver kiddush cup stands on three ball feet and features hand-engraved decoration around the body. The exterior is bright silver with a warm coppery gilt wash to the interior (common in Russian silver drinking vessels for contrast and protection). It has a simple banded rim with dotted lines for added detail. 

The piece is hallmarked on the base with seven marks typical of late 19th-century Imperial Russian silver from Moscow. Russian silver from this era used the zolotnik system (96 zolotniks = pure silver), with "84" being the standard for 875/1000 purity (87.5% silver, equivalent to better-than-sterling quality in many contexts).

Hallmark Breakdown

• 84 (in rectangular reserve, often with textured/hammered-like field around it): Standard Russian purity mark for 84 zolotnik silver = 875/1000 fine (87.5% silver). This was the most common working standard for everyday silver items in the 19th century (equivalent to better-than-British-sterling quality).

• St. George slaying the dragon (described as "dragon" or "eagle/bird/animal face" with rider): This is the classic Moscow city assay office mark used before ~1899. It depicts St. George on horseback spearing the dragon beneath him. The dragon element is often prominent and can appear stylized or partial in strikes (matching your "dragon" description). This confirms Moscow origin—St. Petersburg used anchors/sceptre instead.

• Left-facing head (in lozenge/oval, with "2" or similar): This is a transitional or assay control mark from the 1880s period, often a female profile (early precursor to the full kokoshnik introduced in 1899). The "2" inside or nearby may relate to a lot number, assayer sub-mark, or district code—seen on some Moscow pieces of this era.

• 1888: Clear date mark for the year the piece was assayed and released (common format in Russian silver from the mid-19th century onward).

• B.C (or В.С. in Cyrillic, often stylized): This is the assay master's mark for Viktor Savinkov (Виктор Савинков or Viktor Vasilyevich Savinsky/Savinkov in some transliterations). He was a known Moscow assayer active roughly 1850s–1880s (some sources pinpoint his work peaking mid-to-late 1880s, with marks appearing on pieces dated up to ~1888–1890).

• мп (MP in Cyrillic): Maker's (silversmith's) initials. This is authentic but less commonly documented in major references—likely a smaller Moscow workshop or independent artisan from the 1880s. Many Russian pieces from this period have such two-letter Cyrillic marks for lesser-known makers (not every one is famous like Ovchinnikov or Sazikov). No major mismatches; it's consistent with the era.

• Additional small marks (e.g., the textured area, possible overstrike): Minor assay or control punches—standard for Russian pieces to ensure authenticity at multiple inspection points.

Origin: Moscow, Imperial Russia (late 19th century, assayed in 1888).

Age: Circa 1888 (dated by hallmarks).

Material: Russian silver (84 zolotnik / 875 purity, equivalent to .875 fine silver).

Condition: Good antique condition overall with expected light wear, patina, and minor surface scratches from age and use. One of the three ball feet has a visible crack but remains stable and firmly attached (no wobble or separation noted). No dents, holes, repairs, or restoration visible. The engraving is crisp and legible. One foot crack is common in thin-footed silver items of this age and does not affect display or basic function.

Item dimensions: 2 1/16" tall × 1 9/16" widest diameter 

Weight of item only: 1 oz. (29 g)