A Fabergé jewelled gold, enamel and agate box, workmaster Michael Perchin, St Petersburg, 1895-1899

in 18th century Parisian taste, oval, the surface enamelled in translucent peach and painted with dendritic tendrils over engine-turned reeding interspersed with pellets, the two-colour banded gold borders chased with undulating acanthus leaves on sablé grounds, the lid set with an agate cameo, circa 1800, carved with the profile bust of Emperor Hadrian, within a rose-cut-diamond-set border, struck with workmaster's initials and Fabergé in Cyrillic, 72 standard, scratched inventory number 1911 or 1161

Sotheby's London, 8 December 1969, lot 48

Illustrated, H. and S. Berry-Hill, Antique Gold Boxes, 1953, pl. 212, p. 199.

Excellent condition, very crisp and a beautiful object. The cameo is slightly loose in its mount. The interior lid lining has been scratched for testing the gold.
"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."

Although made in the style of Paris boxes of about 1780, the object's incorporation of the cameo is in fact a nod to an especially Russian interest.  It was Empress Catherine II whose passion for carved and engraved Ancient gems contributed to a late 18th century revival of gem-carving and whose acquisitions formed the nucleus of the Hermitage's collection, estimated at more than 10,000 gems today.  A year before her death, she boasted 'All the collections of Europe, compared to ours, are mere childish amusements.'

The present lot's nearest relative in Perchin's production is the box applied with a cameo of Agrippa, also illustrated by H. and S. Berry-Hill, op. cit., pl. 211, p. 198, and which sold, Christie's London, 8 June 2010, lot 155.  For another Perchin box set with a cameo, see G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Imperial Craftsman and His World, 2000, no. 404, p. 181.