138 - GUILLOCHÉ ENAMEL

GUILLOCHÉ ENAMEL SILVER CASKET WITH ENAMEL AND DIAMONDS, WORKSHOP OF KARL FABERGÉ, MOSCOW, CIRCA 1900 RUSSIA. An outstanding creation of decorative art from the Moscow workshop of Carl Fabergé, executed around 1900, this piece represents a rare and refined example of the neoclassical style in Russian jewelry art. The casket demonstrates the distinctive features of the Moscow Fabergé school – strict proportions, architectural clarity, and the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of pieces produced on private aristocratic commissions. Made of silver with a gilt interior, the casket is adorned with guilloché enamel, gold ornamental details, and old-cut diamonds. The lid’s composition is centered around a circular medallion of translucent blue enamel on a guilloché ground. At its center lies an oval diamond of approximately 1 carat (10.5 × 7.5 × 4.5 mm), set in a gold bezel and framed by three crossed arrows and a curved bow in gold, embellished with small diamonds. These motifs are enclosed within a laurel wreath tied with golden ribbons, symbolizing valor, honor, and nobility – traditional emblems of the late 19th century. At each corner of the lid, square panels of sky-blue enamel are set with miniature diamonds, bordered by gilt ribbon-like reliefs. The front panel of the body bears a motif of crossed arrows with a diamond rosette at the center. The interior is fully gilded and polished to a mirror finish. The chromatic harmony – silver, gold, deep blue, sky-blue, and the white brilliance of diamonds – creates a luminous and elegant visual effect characteristic of Fabergé’s finest works. Materials: Silver (84 zolotniks), gold (56 zolotniks), guilloché enamel in shades of blue, and old-cut diamonds. The central oval diamond weighs approximately 1.0 carat; the surrounding 18 small stones together weigh about 0.65 carat. Total diamond weight ≈ 1.65 carats. Marks: Full mark of the Imperial Court Supplier “K. FABERGÉ” beneath the double-headed eagle; state assay mark with a woman’s head in a kokoshnik, fineness “84,” and initials “I.L.” (Ivan Lebedkin, Moscow, 1896–1908); additional small mark “ML.” All marks are original, clearly legible, and correspond to the Moscow assay district of the late 19th – early 20th century. Dimensions: 14.7 × 11.3 x 7,5 cm Weight: 657 g Condition: Excellent. Enamel and gilding completely preserved, with no losses or restorations. Minor traces of age do not affect the artistic integrity. Provenance: Private European collection. Originating from the estate of Biała Cerkiew, formerly owned by Princess Maria Aniela Branicka (née Sapieha-Różańska). Width: 14.7cm, Height: 7.5cm, Depth: 11.3cm, Weight: 0.657kg, Condition: Very good, Material: BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS, Gold 56, Silver 84, Guilloché enamel, ID: ID-ANTQ-16153