Russian Works of Art, Fabergé and Icons
Russian Works of Art, Fabergé and Icons
A rare Fabergé jewelled enamel and hardstone study of a pansy, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1908-1917
Auction Closed
November 30, 06:31 PM GMT
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A rare Fabergé jewelled enamel and hardstone study of a pansy, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1908-1917
a single pansy, enamelled with opaque violet and with a brilliant diamond centre, two nephrite leaves attached to the gilt stalk, all set in a terracotta orange enamelled silver pot with black textured enamel soil, struck with workmaster's initials and Fabergé in Cyrillic, 88 standard, scratched inventory number 17596
height 6.5cm; 2⅝in.
One of only a few extant single pansy studies, this scale of this rare flower suggests it was a very personal gift. In the 19th Century language of flowers, pansies, whose name is derived from the mid-15th century French word 'penser' meant 'think of me'. They symbolise love and admiration and were also the chosen flower to express sympathy.
A similar flower study with different scratched inventory number contained in a fitted leather case of retailer 'Hamilton & Co. Ltd., Calcutta and New Delhi' was sold Sotheby's, New York, 11 June 1998, lot 332.