A Fabergé jewelled platinum and gold-mounted basse-taille enamel lorgnette, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1908-1917

Clarice Smith (1933-2021) was an artist, philanthropist and life-long contributor to the Washington DC area community, where she lived with her husband Robert H. Smith. Clarice received both a BA and MFA from the George Washington University and held two honorary doctorates from George Washington University and the University of Maryland.  She painted professionally for over forty years, represented by the Gerald Peters Gallery in New York City, and her flare for the artistic can be seen in her collection of jewelry and Fabergé.

Clarice and her builder-developer husband, Robert H. Smith, traveled widely collecting art and antiques. Their interest in fine art was particularly focused on 17th Century Dutch Art and Renaissance Bronzes, later gifted to the National Gallery of Art. Many pieces from the collection, such as the present works by Fabergé (lots 1275-1277) were acquired during their travels abroad. The couple made a deep impact on their broader community through vast philanthropic work in support of the arts, education, American History and medical research. 

Sotheby’s was honored to offer the collection of Clarice’s daughter Michelle Smith, who preceded her in 2021. The present works by Fabergé form a small part of the carefully curated collection of jewels that belonged to Clarice Smith, highlights of which will be sold at Sotheby’s New York in December 2022.