132 - THE HOUSE OF CARL FABERGÉ

THE HOUSE OF CARL FABERGÉ EASTER EGG CASKET BY THE HOUSE OF CARL FABERGÉ. MASTER HENRIK WIGSTRÖM RUSSIA, ST PETERSBURG, 1904–1908. An elegant jewelled Easter egg casket created in the St Petersburg workshop of the House of Carl Fabergé under the direction of the leading master Henrik Wigström (Henrik Wigström, 1862–1923). The object represents a small decorative egg-shaped casket composed of two joined halves. The surface of the body is covered with translucent white enamel over a guilloché ground. The delicate radial and wave-like structure of the guilloché produces a characteristic play of light beneath the translucent enamel layer and represents one of the most recognisable artistic features of Fabergé’s production of the early twentieth century. The body is divided by a decorative gold band with a geometric ornament and set with small rose-cut diamonds. The upper section is crowned with a decorative rosette centred by a red cabochon stone, most likely an almandine garnet. A corresponding cabochon element is placed in the lower part of the egg. The upper medallion is additionally framed by a ring of rose-cut diamonds, enhancing the jewelled refinement of the composition. The interior is formed as a small casket with a smooth gold lining. The egg is preserved in its original Fabergé fitted wooden presentation case with silk lining. On the inside of the lid appears the firm’s mark with the Imperial double-headed eagle and the inscription: “Fabergé. St Petersburg. Moscow. Odessa. Kiev. London.” The artistic language of the object combines the strict geometry characteristic of later Fabergé works with refined jewelled plasticity and the tradition of Imperial Easter gifts. Marks: Maker’s mark “H.W.” - Henrik Wigström; assay mark “56” with the female head in kokoshnik facing left; initials of the assay inspector “A.P.” (Alexander Vasilyevich Romanov), St Petersburg Assay Office, 1904–1908. Dimensions: Height 7.5 cm. Weight: Not specified. Condition: Very good. The enamel and mounts are well preserved with minor traces of age. Provenance: Private collection. Expert Opinion: Valentin Vladimirovich Skurlov, Candidate of Art History, Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, expert of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for cultural property, scientific consultant on Fabergé for Christie’s auction house. Width: 5cm, Height: 7.5cm, Depth: 5cm, Condition: Very good, Material: BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS, Gold 56, Guilloché enamel, Garnet, ID: ID-ANTQ-16418