An Imperial hardstone figure of a parrot, Denisov-Uralsky, St Petersburg, 1913-1914

carved in vari-coloured stones, the breast and belly of rhodonite, the crown and nape of nephrite, the lore of white chalcedony with cabochon ruby eyes and agate beak, with lapis lazuli wings and tail feathers, malachite mantle, silver talons, perching on a craggy quartz branch emerging from a part-cut and polished nephrite mass, in original wood case 

Purchased by Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, the invoice dated 27 January 1914, for 200 roubles
Christie's London, 13 December 1995, lot 287

Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, River Front Arts Center, Wilmington, Delaware, USA, 8 September 2000 - 18 February 2001, no. 898, see ex. cat., G. von Habsburg, ed., p. 335, illustrated

V. Skurlov, Fabergé and the Jewellers of St Petersburg, 1997, p. 384, illustrated
G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 2000, no. 898, p. 335, illustrated
V. Skurlov et al., K. Fabergé i Ego Prodolzhateli, St Petersburg, 2009, p. 15, illustrated
T. Fabergé et al., Fabergé: A Comprehensive Reference Book, Geneva, 2012, p. 108, illustrated

The base with three drill holes, presumably for a missing element of the perch. Overall excellent condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

After experience in a smaller firm, Alexei Kuzmich Denisov-Uralsky (1864-1926) took over the company from his father while also pursuing his ambitions as a landscape painter. He was sought after, even by rivals, for his ability to select only the finest cuts from Russia's vast abundance of semi-precious stone reserves, with Agathon Fabergé later commenting 'he chose the best stones, and his prices for us were not insignificant'. Competing with Carl Fabergé for Imperial commissions of hardstone figural sculpture, the firm moved to premises on the prestigious Bolshaya Morskaya street, almost opposite Fabergé, in 1912.

The fine and carefully executed carving of this piece reveals the talents of those sculptors working for Denisov-Uralsky. The turn of the figure’s head provides multiple viewpoints and encourages close inspection of the rich materials which are cut to best reveal their fine qualities, while also bringing the piece to life. Such fine work suggests the hand of Georgiy Malishev who carried out orders for various St. Petersburg workshops, including Fabergé.

The vogue for natural history and ornithology in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods extended to the collection of exotic birds with Nicholas II, his brother George and his son Alexei all keeping parrots as well as Maria Feodorovna's sister Queen Alexandra, who furthermore had more than one hardstone parrot modelled by Fabergé (see RCIN 40478 and 40481). The Russian Imperial family cared deeply enough for the birds to place gravestones to their memory in the gardens of the Gatchina Palace and two such stones remain, one for ‘Popochka, Cockatoo 1894-97’ and another for ‘Popochka, 1899-1912’. The greater longevity of the second companion suggests the family developed a strong affinity and it is not inconceivable that the Dowager Empress, inspired by her sister, ordered this piece as a suitable memorial.