A Russian Carved Purpurine Elephant, probably Fabergé, circa 1900

the eyes set with rose cut diamonds

Well carved and polished. Two small scratches to face/trunk, a tiny chip to front right foot, and some small wear to underside of feet consistent with age and handling.
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 Russia, purpurine was first made at the Imperial Glassworks by Leopoldo Bonafede (1833-1878), a chemist and mosaicist who had been hired in 1851 to create a new range of colors for both glass and mosaics at the Imperial Glassworks. Tazzae and other large objects from his formula were exhibited to great acclaim at the 1867 Paris international exposition. Fabergé's masters worked out a different, competing formulat sometime after 1880. Chemical analysis of Fabergé's purpurine, first made circa 1880, demonstrates that it is a soda glass and differs substantially from the lead-potash purpurine manufactured at the Imperial Glassworks in the 1860s (see R.R. Harding, et al, "The Composition of an Opaque Red Glass used by Fabergé," The Journal of Gemmology 1989, vol. 21, no. 5: 275-287).