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A pair of Imperial Fabergé gold and enamel cufflinks, workmaster August Hollming, St Petersburg, 1899-1904
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- enamel
- diameter 1cm, 3/8 in.
circular, each enamelled in translucent steel blue over sunburst engine-turning within opaque white dotted border, chain links, struck with workmaster's initials, 56 standard, scratched inventory number 75769
Provenance
Purchased by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna for 30 rubles and given to Captain T. S. Laycock (1875-1927) of the British Secret Intelligence Service
Condition
Very good condition, with light scratches to the blue 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. 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Thomas Spencer Laycock undertook secret missions to Russia and Roumania during the First World War. The precise nature of his work in Russia is unclear, but he is mentioned in Queen Marie of Roumania's autobiography as exposing a plot to kill her husband, King Ferdinand (Marie, Queen of Roumania, Ordeal: The Story of My Life, New York, 1935, pp. 274, 286). In Russia, he was awarded the Order of St Vladimir Fourth Class and the Order of St Anne Second Class, both with swords, and was given the present lot, a more personal gift from the Empress.