A Fabergé silver-mounted nephrite vase, workmaster: Julius Rappoport, St. Petersburg, circa 1890

the body of baluster form, supported on ribbed band decorated with three foliate scroll feet, with workmaster's initials and scratched inventory numbers 43598 and 3451 and UMM, 84 standard

Lady Deterding
Thence by family descent to George Bagratouni
Thence by family descent

In overall good condition consistent with age.
"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."

Lady Deterding (1904-1980) was the second wife of Sir Henri Wilhelm August Deterding, oil magnate and Director General of Royal Dutch-Shell. Lady Deterding or Lydia Pavlovna Kondoyarova, a Russian by birth was a close friend of the Romanov and the Yusupov families. As an avid collector of Fabergé and jewellery, Lydia updated her collection buying from Grand Duchess Xenia at her home in Hampton Court, Wartski in London as well as acquiring various pieces in Paris. When she settled in Paris on Avenue Foch, she filled her house with beautiful paintings and works of art, including various nephrite objects by Fabergé (for more information on Lady Deterding collection please see Connoisseur, French edition, Des chefs-d'oeuvre pour decor quotidien, December 1962, p. 59)

During her years of marriage to Sir Henri she dedicated a considerable part of her life to helping Russian émigrés. It was in recognition of these services that she was granted the title of Princess Donskaya - the highest title that can be conferred on Russians not directly of royal blood. The title was conferred on Lady Deterding in 1937 in Amsterdam by the Grand Duke Cyril, first cousin of the late Tsar of Russia and regarded by Russian legitimists as the rightful "Tsar of all the Russias."