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Michael Perchin (1860-1903) was arguably the most important of Fabergé’s head workmasters, and our April auction features two very fine signature works by this legendary craftsman. One of Fabergé’s few leading goldsmiths and jewelers of Russian origin, Perchin served as the firm’s second head workmaster from 1886 until his death in 1903, and his tenure coincided with some of the most exquisite creations by the house of Fabergé. Drawing inspiration from the collection of 18th-century French enameled objects in the Hermitage, Perchin developed an exceptional talent for a variety of styles, most notably neo-Renaissance, neo-classical, and neo-Rococo. Of these, it was the neo-Rococo style, especially of the Louis XV period, that is now considered Perchin’s trademark and is virtually synonymous with his name.

The majority of clocks made by Fabergé are in the neo-classical or Louis XVI revival style. A smaller number were made in the neo-Rococo or Louis XV revival style, making this rare desk clock especially desirable amongst connoisseurs. Well-known and documented in Fabergé reference books, this neo-Rococo work retains its original box, and is particularly appealing for its exceptional quality, color and large scale. Perchin’s masterful hand was also behind this exemplary neo-Rococo style photograph frame. In a private collection since it was sold in Christie’s landmark sale of The Kazan Collection of Fabergé in 1997, this sumptuous frame combines three colors of gold and pearls with a surface of translucent enamel above an engine-turned ground to create a dazzling play of light, the likes of which earned Fabergé not only the favor of the Russian Imperial Court but an unparalleled reputation that remains to this day.

Mark Moehrke is a Specialist and Director of Russian Works of Art at Christie's New York