- 426
An Imperial Presentation Fabergé jewelled gold and enamel cigarette case, workmaster August Hollming, St Petersburg, 1899-1908
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- gold, enamel, diamonds
- length 9cm, 3 1/2 in.
the surface enamelled in translucent red over sunburst engine-turning, the lid applied with a rose-cut diamond-set Imperial eagle, the ends wrapped with chased laurel bands, rose-cut diamond-set thumbpiece, struck with workmaster's initials and Fabergé in Cyrillic, 56 standard, scratched inventory number 7741
Condition
Generally good condition. One small rose-cut diamond lacking to the scepter. The enamel surface of the reverse and of one end very lightly abraded, which burnishing should relieve. One gold leaf tip band lifting at one end.
"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
According to the ledgers of the Imperial cabinet, this cigarette case accompanied Emperor Nicholas II on three voyages. The first was the occasion of the Emperor's visit to his official Polish residence at Skierniervice, outside Warsaw, in October 1903. This journey was marred by the tragic death of his niece, Princess Elisabeth of Hesse, from virulent typhoid, although it was rumoured that a poison intended for the Emperor was to blame.
The two other journeys were important and well-publicised State visits, intended as diplomatic gestures to soothe international relations in the tense years leading to the First World War. Almost exactly seven years before the declaration of war, the Imperial yachts Hohenzollern and Kronstadt moored off the port of Swinemünde (Świnoujście), painted in contrasting white and black. Kaiser Wilhelm II raised a toast to his cousin Emperor Nicholas II and fireworks lit the sky on the night of the 4 August 1907 to form the initials 'N' and 'W', as a symbol of the two Empires' eternal friendship.
In commemoration of the Anglo-Russian Entente the previous year, Nicholas II and King Edward VII held banquets aboard their respective yachts, the Victoria and Albert III and the Standart, off the coast at Reval (Tallinn) in the spring of 1908. Queen Alexandra and her sister Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna met aboard the Polar Star. Gifts were exchanged on the final day, the 30th of May, with the Empress Alexandra's grievances regarding the expense of the Russian gifts silenced when General Alexander Mossolov, who was in charge of preparing gifts for presentation, revealed the extravagant gold and diamond case he had only just received from Edward VII. Pyotr Stolypin also met with the King, having been conveyed to Revel on the cruiser Almaz.
The two other journeys were important and well-publicised State visits, intended as diplomatic gestures to soothe international relations in the tense years leading to the First World War. Almost exactly seven years before the declaration of war, the Imperial yachts Hohenzollern and Kronstadt moored off the port of Swinemünde (Świnoujście), painted in contrasting white and black. Kaiser Wilhelm II raised a toast to his cousin Emperor Nicholas II and fireworks lit the sky on the night of the 4 August 1907 to form the initials 'N' and 'W', as a symbol of the two Empires' eternal friendship.
In commemoration of the Anglo-Russian Entente the previous year, Nicholas II and King Edward VII held banquets aboard their respective yachts, the Victoria and Albert III and the Standart, off the coast at Reval (Tallinn) in the spring of 1908. Queen Alexandra and her sister Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna met aboard the Polar Star. Gifts were exchanged on the final day, the 30th of May, with the Empress Alexandra's grievances regarding the expense of the Russian gifts silenced when General Alexander Mossolov, who was in charge of preparing gifts for presentation, revealed the extravagant gold and diamond case he had only just received from Edward VII. Pyotr Stolypin also met with the King, having been conveyed to Revel on the cruiser Almaz.
We are grateful to Svetlana Chestnykh for her assistance in cataloguing this lot.