- 129
A Carved Bowenite Elephant with Gold, Diamond, and Enamel Castle, circa 1900
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description
- apparently unmarked
- Bowenite, gold, enamel, diamonds
- Length 1 3/8 in.
- 3.5 cm
the elephant depicted standing on four feet, with ruby eyes, supporting a brick red and white enameled gold turret, the crenellations enameled in a translucent red over a guilloché ground, with bands of rose diamonds about the turret and the belt encircling the animal's midsection
Provenance
A la Vieille Russie, New York
Condition
the proper left tusk is chipped, some minor losses to the enamel on the castle; otherwise in 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.
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.
Catalogue Note
This miniature elephant and castle, although unmarked, can be confidently attributed to Fabergé. Like similar models in the British Royal Collection, it is based on the ancient Order of the Elephant, Denmark's highest chivalric order. The order's symbolism was intimately familiar to Alexander III's wife Empress Maria Fedorovna, born Princess Dagmar of Denmark, and informed the ornament of several important Imperial commissions to Fabergé including a monumental kovsh celebrating the golden wedding anniversary of King Christian IX and Queen Louise of Denmark as well as the 1903 Danish Jubilee Egg, an Easter gift from Nicholas II to his mother. It is interesting to note that both of the examples in the Royal Collection, like the offered lot, are unmarked. See Caroline de Guitaut, Fabergé in the Royal Collection, London, 2003, pp. 100-101, nos. 114 and 115.