a fine and rare fabergé icon of christ pantocrator, workmaster johan victor aarne, st. petersburg, circa 1900

the gilded silver frame set with rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls and applied with finely cabled scrollwork, with wood back and strut, marked with Cyrillic initials of workmaster, Fabergé in Cyrillic and 88 standard, also with scratched inventory number 11717. Contained in glazed display case

overall 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Around the turn of the century, many Russian jewelers and silversmiths greatly expanded the range of intensely colored stones they used to decorate works, often inspired by the large, bezel-set stones ornamenting Russian jewelry art of the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.  This work is an unusually lavish example of that trend, particularly because the surface of the icon cover is studded with a great number of authentic gemstones rather than the hardstones or colored glass more typically used.