Lot 556
  • 556

A Fabergé silver-mounted clay brick match-holder, Workmaster: Julius Rappaport, St. Petersburg, circa 1895

Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • width: 9.6cm., 3¾in
the brick base with two compartments and textured front for striking, mounted with a cast figure of a baby satyr, probably Marsyas, playing an aulos, the base of the brick inscribed in Cyrillic: Zavod/ A. Gusareva/ v Moskve, with workmaster's initials, scratched inventory number 614, 88 standard, held in original fitted case 

Condition

The top of the dividing wall between the compartments is chipped on the left hand side. There are a few cracks on the interior corners of the brick. A highly unusual and rare piece in overall very good condition.
"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."

Catalogue Note

This object, or one identical to it, is illustrated in Fabergé's 1899 Moscow catalogue, number 58, page 44 (see illustration).  A very similar match-holder, mounted with a silver figure identified as Cupid, appears in the 1893 catalogue, number 109, page 36. 

Other examples of brick match-holders, all supplied by the Gusareva factory, are mounted in a variety of ways and exemplify Fabergé's inventiveness and creativity with even the most ordinary material.  The British Royal Collection includes three examples, all acquired by King Edward VII.  One is mounted with a silver-gilt kneeling putto by Rappaport (RCIN 8338), another with jewelled gold snakes by Erik Kollin (RCIN 8337), and a third mounted in silver-gilt with cloisonné enamel and turquoises (RCIN 50723) although, as the mounts of the latter are unmarked, the Royal Collection does not attribute it to Fabergé.  Another brick is mounted by Rappaport with a neoclassical silver base rim on four lion corner supports; see Christie's London, 6 October 1988, lot 201.  A silver snake-mounted brick by Kollin, formerly in the Collection of Princess Maria von Baden sold, Sotheby's London, 26 May 2004, lot 420.  Finally, another Kolin example, with Etruscan-style silver handles and chased masks of bearded satyrs is illustrated, K. Snowman, Carl Fabergé, 1979, p. 46, and G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Hofjuwelier der Zaren, 1986, no. 38, p. 110.  All of these objects provide a clever means by which to celebrate the Russian brick-making industry, of which the country was especially proud.

The satyr Marsyas, son of Olympus, took the aulos, or double flute, from Minerva, its inventor, after she tossed it aside because it made her cheeks bulge when she played.  Marsyas challenged Apollo, who played the lyre, to a musical contest and after losing was skinned alive, the event depicted in Titian's The Flaying of Marsyas (c. 1570).