It's auction season, and Sotheby's London is offering up an intriguing set of objects by Russian jeweler Carl Fabergé on November 24. Part of a sale called "Imperial & Royal Presents", a fabulous set of Fabergé housewares and trinkets will be on the block. (See above, Lot 20, a two-colour gold and guilloché enamel bell push, workmaster: Michael Perchin, St. Petersburg, 1899-1903)
Even if you don't know too much about Fabergé, you probably know about his famous jeweled eggs made from precious metals, gems and enamel. The original egg collection contains 69 spectacular creations made between 1885 and 1917. Of those, 50 are known as "Imperial Fabergé Easter eggs", and were made for Czars Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia. The egg below was made in 1899 and is known as the Boquet of Lilies Clock.
The Sotheby's sale contains picture frames, sniff boxes, vesta cases, paper knives, compacts and pill boxes. The most expensive item listed is a Fabergé silver-gilt pearl and enamel heart shaped photograph frame enclosing a miniature of Empress Maria Fedorovna, circa 1890, est. $90,000 - $120,000.
To search Portero's selection of Faberge jewelry and housewares, click right here.
Top image via Sotheby's, Second image via Wikipedia Commons by Stan Shebs.
