- 460
A Fabergé two-colour gold-mounted enamel frame, workmaster Victor Aarne, St Petersburg, 1899-1904
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- gold, silver, ivory, enamel
- height 6.7cm, 2 5/8 in.
oval, the surface of translucent white enamel over radiating wavy engine-turning, containing a miniature hand-coloured portrait photograph on ivory, unsigned, of Princess Aurora of Serbia, ivory back, silver-gilt strut, struck with workmaster's initials and Fabergé in Cyrillic, 56 and 88 standards
Provenance
Princess Aurora of Serbia (1873-1904)
Thence by descent until sold, Sotheby's New York, 1 December 1998, lot 310
Sotheby's London, 31 May 2006, lot 412
Thence by descent until sold, Sotheby's New York, 1 December 1998, lot 310
Sotheby's London, 31 May 2006, lot 412
Condition
An area of restoration to the enamel between 9 and 11 o'clock. The surface of the enamel covered in a layer of lacquer. The fitting of the screw at the bottom of the back having come loose, but still attached.
"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 Russian Countess and an Italian Princess Aurora Pavlovna Demidova (1873-1904) was the daughter of Count Pavel Pavlovich Demidov, 2nd Prince of San Donato, and his second wife, Princess Elena Petrovna Troubetzkaya. The Princedom of San Donato was not recognised in Russia, the title having been bestowed by Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, on Aurora's great uncle, Anatole Nikolaevich Demidov who died without legitimate heir.
In 1872 the family moved from the Villa San Donato, where Aurora's father's first wife had died, to the Villa di Pratolino, which was renamed the Villa Demidoff.
In 1872 the family moved from the Villa San Donato, where Aurora's father's first wife had died, to the Villa di Pratolino, which was renamed the Villa Demidoff.
Aurora married Prince Arsen of Serbia in Saint Petersburg on 1 May 1892, but was divorced four years later. The following year, in 1897, she married Count Nicola di Noghera, with whom she had one child, Helena Aurora di Noghera.
The only child from her first marriage, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, served as Regent of Yugoslavia from 1934 until his exile in 1941. He inherited the Villa Demidoff di Pratolina, selling many of its contents in 1969.