A Fabergé jeweled gold and enamel-mounted purpurine case, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St. Petersburg, 1903-1904

rectangular, the hinged cover mounted with gold escutcheon-shaped hinges ornamented with white opaque champlevé enamel, a clasp set with a rose diamond, struck on interior mount with workmaster's initials, 56 standard

overall very good condition, some wear to purpurine on underside of box consistent with age and use, some small wear to opaque white enamel
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.

Purpurine, a vivid opaque matte red glass, has long been among the most desirable of materials; the intense color often leads viewers to believe that it is a hardstone rather than glass. In Russia, purpurine was first made at the Imperial Glassworks by Leopoldo Bonafede (1833-1878).  Beginning around 1890, Fabergé's workmasters began using a purpurine of an entirely different formula and it has been suggested that the formula might have been provided to him by Sergei Petukhov, a chemist at the Imperial Manufactory. Petukhov, who retired from the Imperial Glassworks in 1878, may have done some work for Fabergé since H.C. Bainbridge, Fabergé's English agent, names him as the inventor of the material (see H.C. Bainbridge, Peter Carl Fabergé: His Life and Work, London, 1949, 54).