A pair of Fabergé jewelled gold, enamel and hardstone cufflinks, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1908-1917

each carved of bowenite as a standing elephant, its howdah a white enamelled castle turret terminating in a large faceted diamond, the numnah of translucent red enamel over hatching applied with a rose-cut diamond within a white opaque enamel border, gold tassels, each bar of bowenite wrapped with a red enamel band, struck with workmaster's initials and KF in Cyrillic, 56 standard

Excellent condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. 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 refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
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."

For other St Petersburg objects struck with both workmaster's initials and KF in Cyrillic, please see, for example, the Romanov Heirlooms cigarette case by Aarne, sold, Sotheby's London, 30 November 2009, lot 14; and the hatpins by Hollming, sold, Sotheby's London, 30 November 2011, lot 610. During the years 1908-1917, four of Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna's nephews and three of her grandnephews were made Knights of the Danish Order of the Elephant.  The four nephews: Prince Erik of Denmark (1908), Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark (1909), Prince Viggo of Denmark (1911), and The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII (1914).  The three grandnephews: Prince George of Greece, later King George II (1909), Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, later King Frederick IX (1912), and Prince Knud of Denmark (1912).  Also knighted was her late husband's first cousin, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich (1909).  It is suggested here that either she or her son Emperor Nicholas II may have commissioned these cufflinks from Fabergé as a gift to a newly knighted relative, or perhaps for Count Vladimir Frederiks, the Emperor's Imperial Household Minister, who was knighted in 1909.