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A Fabergé jewelled three-colour gold, enamel and bowenite seal, workmaster: Henrik Wigström, St. Petersburg, 1899-1908
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- height: 4.3 cm., 1 5/8 in.
the bowenite handle charmingly formed as a small fish with a delicately incised gold tail, a wide gold mouth, cabochon garnet eyes, set on a tapering column of translucent strawberry red guilloché enamel mounted with seed pearls, the base formed as a sea shell, the matrix uncut, with workmaster's initials, 56 standard
Exhibited
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé Hofjuwelier de Zaren, 5 December 1986 - 22 February 1987, cat. no. 192
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 November 2003 - 12 April 2004, cat. no. 103
Munich, Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, 28 November 2003 - 12 April 2004, cat. no. 103
Literature
Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé Hofjuwelier de Zaren, Munich, 1986, p. 159
Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, p. 179
Géza von Habsburg, Fabergé-Cartier Rivalen am Zarenhof, Munich, 2003, p. 179
Condition
In apparent very good condition.
"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
The quirky form of this desk seal is inspired by a group of fish-shaped rock crystal vessels carved by the Miseroni workshops in Milan at the end of the 16th century. Their basic form consisted of a pedestal which supported a stylised fish with a bulbous body and grotesque mouth. Examples were to be seen in treasuries throughout Europe, including those of the Danish Royal Collection (Rosenborg inv. no. 6-49) and the collection of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany (inv. Bargello 1917, Cristalli n 18).