Lot 159
  • 159

A Fabergé Carved Obsidian Figure of a Hippopotamus, St. Petersburg, circa 1900

Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description

  • with fitted holly wood box
  • Obsidian, diamonds, holly wood box
  • Length 1 7/8 in.
  • 4.8 cm
depicted sitting, with diamond-set eyes

Provenance

Galerie J. Kugel, Paris

Literature

For a comparable carved rock crystal hippopotamus by Fabergé in the Woolf Family Collection, see Alexander von Solodkoff, Fabergé: Juwelier des Zarenhofes, Hamburg, 1995, p. 70, no. 28.  A similar carved bowenite figure of a hippopotamus served as the finial on a Fabergé cane handle sold Sotheby's, London, June 12, 2007, lot 440.

Sold with a document of evaluation signed by Mr. A. Kenneth Snowman, Wartski, London, 1971

Condition

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.