A rare Fabergé silver-gilt and enamel two-handled bowl, Moscow, 1899-1908

circular with flared sides, the body decorated with scrolling foliage of undulating outline in opaque matte apple-green enamel, the handles formed as peacocks with spotted blue enamel tail feathers, the base with flowerheads above four ball feet, marked K. Fabergé beneath the Imperial warrant and with scratched inventory number 18925, 84 standard

This bowl is an early example of its type, the style of which fuses elements of 17th century Russian-inspired ornament with vaguely Art Nouveau motifs.  Produced by Fabergé in limited quantities in Moscow, these vessels became especially popular around 1913, with nationalistic feeling running high in accord with the Romanov Tercentenary.  For other notable examples of the use of peacock handles, see Christie's Geneva, 18 November 1980, lot 28, which also incorporates matte enamel, and Sotheby's New York, 4 December 1980, lot 617.