A Fabergé jewelled gold and enamel frame, Moscow, 1899-1908

of shaped rectangular form, the surface of pale greyish-blue translucent enamel over moiré engine-turning within a mullet and pellet border, the corners applied with collette-set cabochon rubies, the oval bezel set with seed pearls below four-colour gold floral festoons, ivory back, silver scroll strut, struck K. Fabergé in Cyrillic beneath the Imperial warrant, 56 standard

The Collection of Countess Mona Bismarck, sold, Sotheby's Monaco, 1 December 1986, lot 1642 (the object mistakenly catalogued as French)

Overall very good condition. There is a small area of restoration at the upper left corner, approximately 8mm wide. The ivory back with corner losses and cracks, as expected. The silver scroll strut slightly loose. The strut is unmarked but does not appear to be a replacement.
"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."

Born Margaret Edmona Strader in Louisville, Kentucky, Countess Mona Bismarck (1897-1983) was a renowned beauty and socialite and the first American named 'The Best Dressed Woman in the World'.  Her fortune derived from her third of five husbands, utilities magnate Harrison Williams, who left her $90 million at his death in 1953.  Her title derived from her fourth husband, Albrecht Graf von Bismarck-Schönhausen, grandson of Germany's Iron Chancellor.  She was a favourite subject of Cecil Beaton, who described her as 'fascinatingly beautiful, like a rock-crystal goddess with aquamarine eyes'; according to Diana Vreeland, 'everything that was hers was out of the ordinary'.  Her portrait by Salvador Dalì was sold at Sotheby's London (5 February 2013, lot 46) to benefit the Mona Bismarck American Center for Art and Culture in Paris, which she established in her will.