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Curators' Picks: December 17 Imperial Fabergé & Russian Works of Art Signature® Auction
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Nick's Picks
Nick Nicholson | Director, Russian Works of Art & Museum Services
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I have loved this exceptional frame since the first time I saw it more than thirty years ago when it still belonged to the family of Prince Chavchavadze. The fact that a work like this, which left Russia in the hands of its original owners, has remained in such impeccable condition is impressive. I am so pleased that it has resurfaced, and thaat we are able to offer it at auction.
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All Fabergé frames are spectacular, but we have been fortunate to handle two exceptional miniature ones this year. This one, in ice-blue guilloche enamel from a collection in California, is impeccable. The proportions are so beautiful, that looking at it in a picture, one could easily believe it was 4" or 6" or even 8" tall. The style of the multi color goldwork, the precious stones and the pearls have been selected not just for their quality, but for their scale to enhance the illusion that this piece is barely 1.5" tall.
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This porcelain imperial presentation box is one of the most exceptional I have ever seen and a rare survivor from the period of Catherine II. The paintings in full color and in grisaille are remarkable for their elegance and their precision in such a small scale. It has been many years since a box of this quality has appeared on the market, and I look forward to see where this exceptional work will find a home.
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Elinor's Picks
Elinor Chalmers | Cataloguer, Decorative Arts
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This elegant Fabergé pill box, crafted for Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, distills Imperial luxury into a tiny, luminous form. Its blue guilloché enamel, white borders, and single diamond accent show how effectively Fabergé paired rich materials with simple, confident design. It is a small object with an extraordinary historical presence, offering a rare, intimate link to the final chapter of Imperial Russia.
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This table clock stands out for its translucent pink guilloché enamel, which gives it a vibrant, polished look. The compact, unfussy design keeps the focus on the quality of the enamel and materials. It's a representative example of Fabergé's workshop, demonstrating the firm's steady hand with functional decorative objects.
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Xenia's Pick
Xenia Amaya | Cataloguer, Silver & Decorative Arts
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What I love about this Burliuk is how alive it feels. The flowers aren't arranged so much as bursting forward, each one painted with that bold, slightly eccentric energy that makes his work so distinctive. The unexpected details such as the seaside painting, the beetle creeping across the sill, add a sort of playful surrealism, like the painting is telling more than one story at once. It's the kind of painting you keep looking at because there's always some new little delight waiting to be noticed.
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This Fabergé translucent pink guilloché enamel cigarette case exemplifies the lyrical refinement of August Hollming's workshop. What makes this piece so wonderful is how irresistibly pretty it is. The pink guilloché enamel has a warmth and glow that feels cheerful, and the wave pattern catches the light in a way that makes it seem almost alive. I love how the rounded form sits comfortably in the hand, with just enough weight to remind you of its quality. And the tiny diamond-set thumbpiece is the perfect touch: quiet, elegant, and a little indulgent. It's a small object, but one that radiates pure delight!
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Nick Nicholson
Director, Russian Works of Art & Museum Services
NickN@HA.com
(214) 409-3014s
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Elinor Chalmers
Cataloguer
Decorative Arts
ElinorC@HA.com
(214) 409-1276
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Xenia Amaya
Cataloguer, Silver & Decorative Arts
XeniaA@HA.com
(214) 409-1907
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