Lot 15
  • 15

An enamel photograph frame with jewelled gold mount,Cartier,circa 1908

Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description

  • Cartier, Paris, circa 1908
  • height: 5.3cm, 2 1/8 in
of podium form, the surface with translucent purple enamel over sunburst and banded wavy engine-turning within white opaque borders, the gold aperture engraved with laurel, the corners set with rose-cut diamonds, containing a photograph of Queen Alexandra by W. & D. Downey, the reverse with partial trade label, the ivory base engraved Cartier and numbered 10?42? and 2207

Exhibited

Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé Hofjuwelier de Zaren, 5 December 1986 - 22 February 1987, cat. no. 633
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 November 2003 - 12 April 2004, cat. no. 738

Literature

Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé Hofjuwelier de Zaren, Munich, 1986, p. 306
Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, p. 371

Condition

Very good condition. The back has been re-enamelled. Ivory base panel: one loss and some cracks at two of the screw points.
"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."

Catalogue Note

The photograph of the Queen is cut down from a larger image, taken by Downey, of 61 Ebury Street, London, and reproduced on the frontispiece of Queen Alexandra's Christmas Gift Book: Photographs From My Camera, which was published in 1908 and sold for charity. 

A photograph frame of similar form, inset with a photograph of Countess Zubov, is illustrated Hans Nadelhoffer, Cartier, London, 1984, colour plate 6. The caption suggests that it was originally designed as a desk calendar.