Fabergé Works of Art - The Desk Objects

Ruzhnikov Fine art & antiques

Fabergé Works of Art

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The Desk Objects

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Gold-Mounted Aventurine Quartz and Rock Crystal Stamp Moistener

by Fabergé Karl Gustav Armfelt, St Petersburg, 1904-1908 struck with workmaster’s initials, London import marks for 1908, gold mark of 56 zolotniks length: 7.6 cm

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A carved aventurine quartz stamp moistener of shaped rectangular form, roller of rock crystal, mounted on four reeded gold ball feet with laurel leaf-tip border, the body applied with diamondset green gold wreaths pierced by polished red gold arrows.

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Rare Jewelled Gold, Aventurine Quartz and Enamel Paper Knife

by Fabergé

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Moscow, 1899-1908 struck with gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 2573 length: 11.5 cm

A rare paper knife modelled as an Ottoman sword, with a carved aventurine quartz blade held in a ribbed red gold sleeve, the handle decorated with turquoise enamel over a basket weave guilloché ground, applied with pink guilloché enamel roundels within diamond-set white enamel bezels, further enhanced with chased green gold acanthus leaves and surmounted with a cabochon moonstone and diamonds; contained in its original holly wood case, the lid satin stamped ‘Fabergé. Moscow. St. Petersburg.

Odessa’.

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Jewelled Gold and Enamel Magnifying Glass by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, assay master’s initials (Ya.L. in Cyrillic for Yakov Lyapunov), gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 5251 length: 10 cm Provenance: Presented by Queen Mary to her surgeon, Sir Russell Wilkinson, K.C.V.O.

A gold magnifying glass, the handle decorated with green enamel over a guilloché ground and a band of rosecut diamonds to the top and bottom, the terminal of the handle applied with a cabochon moonstone, the square lens set within a gold frame with enamel panels; contained in S.J. Phillips inventory case.

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Jewelled Gold, Bowenite and Enamel Paper Knife

by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay master’s initials (Ya.L. in Cyrillic for Yakov Lyapunov), gold mark of 56 zolotniks length: 18.5 cm

A paper knife with a spearhead-shaped gold blade, the carved bowenite handle in the form of a bone mounted with a gold collar with translucent salmon pink guilloché enamel painted en camaiëu simulating dendritic agate, the borders set with rows of diamonds; contained in Wartski fitted case.

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Silver-Gilt, Gold and Enamel Bell Push

by Fabergé

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workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay mark of St Petersburg (crossed anchors and sceptre), silver mark of 88 zolotniks hight: 5.7 cm

A bell push of spherical form enamelled in scarlet over a guilloché ground, encircled by a band of oyster enamel decorated with chased green gold laurel garland, the top set with a moonstone push-piece and further applied with twocolour gold laurel swags, supported on a circular spreading silver-gilt foot chased with stylised laurel leaves. Contained in Wartski fitted case.

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Imperial Silver-Gilt, Gold and Enamel Bell Push

by Fabergé

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workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay mark of St Petersburg (crossed anchors and sceptre), silver mark of 88 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 59779 hight: 5.7 cm Provenance: Purchased jointly from Fabergé by Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna in June 1898 for 110 roubles Collection of King George I of the Hellenes Sale: Christie’s London 24 - 25 January 2007, lot 400, sold for £102,000

A bell push of spherical form enamelled in lilac over a guilloché ground, encircled by a band of oyster enamel applied with chased green gold laurel garland, the moonstone push-piece set within a red gold starburst motif, resting on a circular spreading silver-gilt foot chased with stylised laurel leaves.

Contained in Wartski fitted case.

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Two-Colour Gold and Enamel Lorgnette by Fabergé St Petersburg, 1899-1908 struck with Fabergé hallmark length: 15 cm

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A gold lorgnette with a pair of octagonal lenses with reeded gold rims, the cylindrical handle enamelled in pink over guilloché ground and applied with a gold foliate spiral and octagonal foliate hoop; contained in S.J. Phillips inventory case.

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Gold and Enamel Bell Push

by Fabergé

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workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1908-1917 struck with workmaster’s initials, gold mark of 56 zolotniks width: 5.3 cm Provenance: Sale: Sotheby’s London 12 June 2007, lot 499, sold for £ 66,000

A bell push of circular cushion form in Neo-Rococo taste, the surface enamelled in translucent rose Pompadour over a moiré guilloché ground, overlaid with gold scroll and floral cagework, the top set with a moonstone push button, the base chased with rocaille ripples above a moulded scroll border, contained in Wartski fitted case.

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Jewelled Gold-Mounted Aventurine Quartz Bell Push by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay master’s initials (Ya.L. in Cyrillic for Yakov Lyapunov), gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 5098 width: 7 cm

A gold-mounted bell push, the main body carved from aventurine quartz, the top set with a cabochon sapphire pushpiece surrounded by a collar of rose-cut diamonds, further applied with gold fleur-de-lys and gold borders.

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Jewelled Silver-Gilt and Enamel Double Bell Push

by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay mark of St Petersburg (crossed anchors and sceptre), silver mark of 88 zolotniks width: 8.3 cm

A silver-gilt bell double push, overall enamelled in translucent yellow over a guilloché ground, the sides overlaid with ribbon-tied laurels swags, the top applied with conjoined laurel wreaths enclosing cabochon moonstone and ruby push-pieces, raised on lion paw feet.

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Jewelled Silver-Gilt and Enamel Bell Push

by Fabergé workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1903-1904 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay master’s initials (Ya.L. in Cyrillic for Yakov Lyapunov), silver mark of 88 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 12463 width: 6.5 cm Provenance: Kazan Collection

A silver-gilt bell push overall enamelled in salmon pink enamel over a guilloché ground, set with a cabochon moonstone push-piece, and decorated chased silver-gilt mounts, supported on raised reeded feet.

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Gold-Mounted Silver-Gilt and Enamel Gum Pot

by Fabergé workmaster Mikhail Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials and Fabergé in Cyrillic, gold mark of 56 zolotniks height: 5.2 cm Provenance: The Forbes Collection

Exhibitions: Fabergé Fantasies. The Forbes Magazine Collection, Villa Favorita, Lugano, 14 April - 7 June 1987 Fabergé, Orfevre a la Cour des Tsars, Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris, 17 June - 31 August 1987 Fabergé, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Munich, 5 December 1986 - 8 March 1987

A silver-gilt gum pot of circular cushion form, overall decorated with translucent purple enamel over a moiré guilloché ground and mounted with a gold gadrooned border; the gold detachable brush with a cabochon moonstone finial in a chased leaf mount.

Literature: G. von Habsburg (ed.), Fabergé Fantasies. The Forbes Magazine Collection, Milan/New York, 1987 G. von Habsburg (ed.), Fabergé, Munich, 1986, p. 253, no. 509 (illustrated) Fabergé. Forbes Collection, 1999, p. 132-133 (illustrated) 27

Jewelled Gold-Mounted Bowenite and Enamel Bell Push by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 2098 width: 7.4 cm Provenance: Bought for the Imperial Cabinet for Alexandra Fyodorovna, 17th August 1899, and thence by descent to her sister, HRH Princess Battenberg Sale: Sotheby’s London 28 November 2006, lot 287

A carved bowenite bell push of rectangular breakfront form, the top centred with a moonstone push button within a roundel enamelled in translucent pink over sunburst engine-turning painted in sepia with a trailing vine, with a tied laurel two-colour gold surround, beaded borders, moulded edge, the base rim chased with gadroons and leaf corners.

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Jewelled Gold-Mounted Bowenite and Enamel Bell Push by Fabergé workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1903-1908 struck with workmaster’s initials, London import marks for 1908, gold mark of 56 zolotniks width: 6.9 cm

A carved bowenite bell push of oval form, applied with green gold laurel garland and red gold rosettes, the top with a circular reserve enamelled in pink over a moiré guilloché ground, mounted with chased gold acanthus leaves and reeded borders and set with a cabochon moonstone push-pieces, supported on four raised reeded ball feet.

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Jewelled Gold-Mounted Rock Crystal Kovsh

by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials and Fabergé hallmark, gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 2384

A rare and important kovsh, the carved rock crystal body engraved with delicate strapwork and floral garlands, the prow features a chased and engraved gold mount set with a single cabochon ruby and diamonds, a gadrooned gold stem supports a finial of chased acanthus enclosing a diamond-set pinecone, the chased gold handle shaped as elaborate foliate scrolls and set with bands of diamonds and six cabochon rubies, centred with a large octagonal portrait diamond.

length: 15 cm

A similar kovsh in nephrite by Michael Perchin is in the collection of the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. This piece was presented by Tsar Nicholas II to S.M. Sultan Abdul Hamid II. 31

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Rare Silver-Gilt and Enamel Calendar

by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay mark of St Petersburg (crossed anchors and sceptre), silver mark of 88 zolotniks height: 12.5 cm

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A desk calendar in Neo-Rococo taste, overall enamelled in translucent yellow over a guilloché ground, with silver-gilt mounts and lion paw feet, the apertures bordered by seed pearls display the month, day of the week and date; contained in Wartski fitted case.

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Gold and Enamel Desk Compass

by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 56572 width: 4 cm

A gold-mounted desk compass in the form of a Roman tripod supported by three winged terms each set with a ruby, the bezel decorated with a band of translucent royal blue guilloché enamel.

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Jewelled Gold-Mounted Rock Crystal and Enamel Bookmark by Fabergé

workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay mark of St Petersburg (crossed anchors and sceptre), gold mark of 56 zolotniks length: 7.3 cm

A spearhead-shaped carved rock crystal bookmark mounted with a gold clip, enamelled in pink over a guilloché ground, topped with a pearl finial; contained in S.J. Phillips inventory case.

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Gold-Mounted Purpurine Gum Pot by Fabergé

Gold-Mounted Bowenite Gum Pot by Fabergé

workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 44614

width: 6 cm

width: 6.5 cm

A carved bowenite gum pot formed as a tomato or pumpkin, the gold detachable brush decorated with red guiiloché enamel and fitted with a hoop finial.

A purpurine gum pot carved as a tomato or pumpkin, with a gold detachable brush realistically modelled as a stem, chased to imitate wood, set with green demantoid garnets.

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Gold, Silver-Gilt and Enamel Seal

by Fabergé

height: 3.8. cm Provenance: Forbes Collection, New York Literature: Ch. Forbes, R. Tromeur-Brenner, Fabergé: The Forbes Collection, 1999, illustrated p. 85

A desk seal modelled as a miniature Imperial Cuirassier Guard helmet in gold and silver with blue guilloché enamel, with applied star insignia and eagle surmount, the white agate seal cut with a prancing horse.

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Gold Tankard

by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay master’s initials (Ya.L. in Cyrillic for Yakov Lyapunov), gold mark of 56 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 2654 height: 9 cm

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A gold tankard of cylindrical form on three ball feet, with a hinged stepped domed cover and round loop handle, chased with floral motifs, contained in a contemporary fitted case.

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Gold-Mounted Nephrite and Enamel Barometer

by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials, assay mark of St Petersburg (crossed anchors and sceptre), gold mark of 56 zolotniks the dial inscribed in cyrillic K. Fabergé height: 9 cm

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A gold-mounted nephrite barometer of cylindrical form, resting on two ball feet, the dial with a translucent light blue guilloché enamel border and a two-colour gold bezel chased with laurel leaves, surmounted with a twocolour gold ring handle shaped as a ribbon-tied laurel wreath.

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Rare Pair of Two-Colour Gold and Enamel Opera Glasses by Fabergé workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, gold mark of 56 zolotniks, height: 6 cm

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Gold opera glasses decorated with of translucent pink enamel over a guilloché ground, highlighted with handpainted dendritic leaf patterns, within yellow and gold borders of chased entrelac and reeding. Only four other examples of Fabergé opera glasses are known. Two of them, formerly in Forbes collection, belongs to the Fabergé Museum in St Petersburg (see G. Hill, Fabergé and the Russian master goldsmiths, no. 254 & 255).

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Silver Bell Push Modeled as a Seated Boar

by Fabergé workmaster Ivan Lebedkin, St Petersburg, circa 1899-1908 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay mark of St Petersburg, silver standard: 84 zolotniks height: 12 cm

Whimsically sculpted and realistically hand chased in silver. The razorback pig represented as seated on hind legs, finely detailed body simulating fur, curled tail above bell pull string; the head is pointed upwards, with the eyes half-shut he appears to be smiling.

A cabochon-set red garnet button is mounted on boar’s nose.

A similar pig bell push made in Rappoport’s workshop is illustrated in Sotheby’s New York, 6 December 1995, lot 398. For another smaller one see Sotheby’s Geneva November 15, 1988 catalog, lot 168.

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Silver Bell Push Modeled as an Elephant by Fabergé

Workmaster Julius Rappaport, St Petersburg, circa 1890 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic, assay mark of St Petersburg, silver standard: 88 zolotniks height: 9.5 cm

Humorously created this pudgy model of an elephant portrayed seated as if a human being while looking forward; the elephant is shown in an upright position with the tip of his trunk pointed upwards, hind legs outstretched, front legs resting on the protruding belly.

Despite apparent behavioural anomalies the elephant is cast and meticulously finished by hand to show animal hide, large floppy ears, tusks. The hallmark of Faberge along with perfunctory others appear on elephant’s curved tale underside.

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Silver Inkstand and Pair of Candlesticks by Fabergé workmaster Julius Rappoport, St Petersburg, 1899 struck with workmaster’s initials, FABERGÉ in Cyrillic assay master’s mark (A.R. in Cyrillic for A. Richter) assay mark of St.Petersburg silver standard: 84 zolotnik inkstand’s length: 31.7 cm candlesticks’ height: 20 cm

Silver inkstand and a pair of candlesticks of Rococo design, comprising a stand, sand-box and inkwell the stand of openwork outline standing on scroll feet, chased overall with rocaille, scrolls and flowers; the candlesticks on shaped circular foot, cast and elaborately chased with spiral scrolls and rocaille, the vase-shaped stem and sockets similarly chased. The inkstand signed Fabergé, Imperial Warrant.

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