Fabergé masterpieces
One of the most important features of the Fabergé firm was, that representatives of almost all segments of population could afford its works. Fabergé made items of various values, from 1 ruble to tens of thousands of rubles, depending on materials used. Moreover, all works, regardless of size and price, were carried out with the same care as imperial orders. Thus, even clients with a low income level could find a thing from Fabergé to afford.⠀
The set of ashtrays "Card suits", created by the Faberge firm, recalls several traditional occupations of the last Romanovs and their entourage: smoking and playing cards. ”Almost all Russian emperors, with the exception of Nicholas I, were avid smokers. Many photographs have survived to this day, in which you can see Nicholas II smoking. ⠀
Jewelers made sure that the palaces of the Romanovs and representatives of the aristocracy had everything for comfortable smoking: table lighters, guillotines for cigars and, of course, ashtrays. What could be more natural, than after dinner to play a game of cards with the guests and smoke a cigarette, and then extinguish it in a precious ashtray in the form of a card suit?⠀
The set of ashtrays "Card suits"⠀
Moscow, 1900–1903. House of Fabergé.
In the second half of the 19th century, playing cards were a popular pastime of aristocracy and members of the imperial family. The last two Russian emperors traditionally played cards during official receptions, but did not feel much passion for this kind of leisure.⠀
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Empresses Maria Feodorovna and Alexandra Feodorovna treated the card game with enthusiasm. At the same time, contemporaries noted that the wife of Emperor Nicholas II, Alexandra Feodorovna, did not like to lose.
Accustomed to luxury, representatives of high society used elegant accessories while playing cards. For example, such as a silver case for storing a card deck, decorated with enamel.⠀
1.
This mysterious box with round brushes and pieces of chalk in precious cases, as a rule, puzzles guests of the Fabergé Museum. For what purpose did jewelers create a precious frame for seemingly mundane items, far from the world of luxury?⠀
It's that simple! You probably remember that playing cards was a popular and quite traditional part of the leisure of the Russian aristocracy. They played most often on special card tables covered with cloth. The score was written in chalk directly on the table, and a brush was needed to clean the surface. Therefore, a set for playing cards created by Fabergé, decorated with delicate translucent enamel on a guilloche background, was very relevant.
Toilet set⠀
St. Petersburg, 1899-1904⠀
House of Fabergé, workmaster Anders Nevalainen
2.
Rhodonite is one of the stones that are often found in the works of Fabergé. Its name is believed to have come from the Greek "rhodon" (rose). Indeed, the color scheme of this stone ranges from scarlet to pink. In Russia, rhodonite was often called the eagle stone. This was due to the fact, that according to legend, for the first time fragments of this material were found in the nests of eagles, which probably took the brightly colored stone for pieces of meat.⠀
The fewer impurities the mineral has, the more homogeneous color it has. Rhodonite often has characteristic black branching veins that stand out in contrast against a light background. Sometimes veins form whimsical patterns and even real landscapes. The natural beauty of this material, mined in the Urals, was appreciated and revealed in the works by masters of the Fabergé firm.⠀
This spectacular stone was perfect for making formal gifts like snuff boxes and cigarette cases.⠀⠀
Saint-Petersburg, 1908-1917⠀
House of Fabergé, workmaster Henrik Wigström
3.
In 1894, on the birthday of Empress Maria Feodorovna, her son Nicholas II was married to Princess Alice-Victoria-Helena-Louise-Beatrice of Hesse-Darmstadt (in Orthodoxy Alexandra Feodorovna). According to contemporaries, the wedding ceremony was "a continuation of the funeral", since the ceremony took place a week after the funeral service of the late Emperor Alexander III. The birthday of Maria Feodorovna was chosen for the wedding because then it was possible to interrupt the year of mourning.⠀
According to legend, the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, the sister of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, on the occasion of her wedding presented her with an icon by Fabergé “Our Lady of Kazan, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Queen Alexandra”. In its center is the icon of Our Lady of Kazan - the patroness of Russia. The end is in the form of a kokoshnik, an architectural detail named after the traditional headdress of Russian women.⠀Folding altar Our Lady of Kazan, St. Nicholas, St. Alexandra. Moscow, 1894. House of Fabergé.⠀
4.
Why would Fabergé destroy his jewelry works annually?⠀
When it came to the quality of items created by the company, Carl Fabergé was very strict. If a piece was not flawless in all respects, it was taken apart, and the details were sent back to the workbench.
The other spectacular object:
Desk calendar clock ⠀
Moscow, 1899-1908. ⠀
One of the most important principles of Fabergé's work was the creation of unique pieces made according to the latest fashion. Therefore, all unsold goods had to be destroyed every year so that visitors would always find enchanting new objects for sale to choose from.
Such a clock shaped after shield can be seen in the Avanzal of the Fabergé Museum. ⠀
Desk clock with calendar ⠀
Moscow, 1899-1908. House of Fabergé. ⠀
Gold, silver-gilt, metal, pearls, guilloché enamel. ⠀
I will prsent you more amaizing pieces of art in my next article about Faberge
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