An Imperial Presentation Fabergé jewelled gold, enamel and hardstone box, workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1899-1903

circular, carved of nephrite, the hinged lid centred with the rose-cut diamond-set crowned cypher of Emperor Nicholas II on a ground of translucent white enamel over sunburst engine-turning within a diamond-set bezel, the lid border of two-colour gold laurel festoons hung from diamonds, chased leaf rim mount, struck with workmaster's initials and Fabergé in Cyrillic, 56 standard

Presented by Emperor Nicholas II

Excellent condition. The base with extremely light wear to the stone around the edges. One very shallow graze to the stone of the lid, beside the gold swag at 6.30 o' clock. The gold rim mount has been re-attached to the base by a professional restorer. The cypher is ever-so-slightly loose on the lid. Very crisp chasing. No diamonds lacking. The object is rather more impressive in person than in photographs.
"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."

Nephrite was the preferred hardstone in the production of Imperial Presentation boxes.  Symbolising Russian hope, nephrite, like malachite, proclaimed the mineral wealth of the country, of which Russians and their Emperor were justly proud.  Fabergé was famously the only jeweller entitled to use the prized stone, and his workmasters took full advantage of the privilege. 

This Imperial Presentation snuff box is one of 27 with the cypher of Emperor Nicholas II supplied by Fabergé to the Imperial Cabinet between 1899 and 1903, the year of Perchin’s death.  They ranged in cost from 800 to 2,000 rubles (see U. Tillander-Godenhielm, The Russian Imperial Award System, 1894-1917, Helsinki, 2005, p. 181); at least eight of these were made of nephrite, according to the Cabinet ledgers.  In addition to the present lot, these included the rectangular portrait box, also by Perchin, which sold, Christie’s New York, 21 October 2003, lot 154; and the circular cypher box by Perchin in the Lillian Thomas Pratt Collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (no. 47.20.271).  A later box by Wigström, like the present lot incorporating white enamel in contrast with the nephrite, is in the Walters Art Museum (no. 57.1047).  A circular nephrite portrait box, the lid border similar to that of the present box, was exhibited by A La Vieille Russie, New York, 25 October - 7 November 1961, cat. no. 88, illustrated p. 47.  Sotheby's is grateful to Svetlana Chestnykh for her assistance in researching this lot.