A Fabergé jewelled gold, enamel and hardstone parasol handle, workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, circa 1895

carved of rock crystal as a curled eel emerging from water reeds, its eyes set with cabochon rubies, the collar of translucent apple green enamel over engine-turned swags within rose-cut diamond-set borders, struck with workmaster's initials, 56 standard

Probably acquired by Frederick Glyn, 4th Baron Wolverton (1864-1932)

Thence by descent

The appearance of an eel among Fabergé's hardstone carvings is extremely rare but perhaps unsurprising, given that the fish's popularity in Russian cuisine peaked in the late 19th century. Eels also appear in Japanese netsuke, which frequently provided inspiration for Fabergé stone carvings.

The parasol handle is thought to have descended from the banker and politician Frederick Glyn, 4th Baron Wolverton.  Given its date of manufacture, it may well have been given to him or possibly his wife in 1895.  In that year he married Lady Edith Ward (1872-1956), daughter of the 1st Earl of Dudley, of Dudley House in London and Witley Court in Worcestershire.  Alternately it may have been acquired when Lord Wolverton was Vice Chamberlain to the Royal Household of King Edward VII, a post he held between 1902 and 1905.

The Glyns were a famous and important City family.  Sir Richard Glyn was Lord Mayor of London in 1758, and it was his descendant George Glyn who was made 1st Baron Wolverton in 1869.  The 4th Baron Wolverton was also very active in the City, being a partner in the family bank of Glyn, Mills & Co. His principal seat was Queensberry House, Newmarket.