- 21
A Fabergé gold, jewelled and Siberian quartz, heart-shaped bonbonnière, St. Petersburg, circa 1890
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- length: 4.2cm., 1 5/8 in.
bordered with rose-cut diamonds centred at the tip of the heart with trefoil diamond and ruby thumbpiece, with scratched inventory number 23371, in a Fabergé fitted case
Provenance
Purchased by Empress Maria Fedorovna (1847-1928) on 17th December 1899
Exhibited
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé Hofjuwelier de Zaren, 5 December 1986 - 22 February 1987, cat. no. 215
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 November 2003 - 12 April 2004, cat. no. 24
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 November 2003 - 12 April 2004, cat. no. 24
Literature
Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé Hofjuwelier de Zaren, Munich, 1986, p. 163
Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, p. 153
Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, p. 153
Condition
Light scratches to the stone consistent with age and use. There is one very minor chip to the stone on the inside of the box. The mount is slightly loose.
"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."
"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
A heart is a fragile thing. That's why we protect them so vigorously, give them away so rarely, and why it means so much when we do. Some hearts are more fragile than others, purer somehow, like crystal in a world of glass.—John E. Pogue
The Siberian quartz is perfectly complemented by the brilliance of the diamonds and the simple cabochon thumbpiece. For a piece of this quality and class it is most likely to have been designed and constructed by Fabergé's head workmaster from 1886-1903, Michael Perchin. For a very comparable bonbonnière by Perchin carved in smoky quartz in the form of a shell, see: Sotheby's, London, 12th June 2007, lot 435.