FEATURES ARCHIVE

Christie’s presents an historic opportunity for connoisseurs around the globe, when a magnificent selection of Fabergé will be offered in London from the Portland Collection, undoubtedly amoung the most illustrious collections in England. These pieces present collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire distinctive works by Fabergé from the turn of the century. Ted Sandling sits down with Helen Culver Smith, Russian Art Specialist in London to discuss this vibrant and important collection.

Why did you choose these two pieces for the feature?
This obsidian seal and guilloché enamelled clock from the Portland collection represent both the quality and range of Fabergé’s creations. The realistically modelled seal, perched upon a rock crystal floe, is a perfect example of Fabergé’s whimsical work in hardstone, while the brilliant blue enamelled clock showcases Fabergé’s distinctive ability to imbue functional items with aesthetic value.

Why should a connoisseur want to acquire these?
The provenance and craftsmanship of these Fabergé items is unparalleled. Both pieces present collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire distinctive works by Fabergé from an incredibly important private collection. The close relationship between the 6th and 7th Duchesses of Portland and Queen Alexandra makes them of even greater historical significance to the field of collecting Fabergé.  

Describe the particular beauty of these objects.
The use of the natural sheen in polished obsidian to mimic the play of water and light on a seal’s back, and of prismatic rock crystal to create the floe upon which it basks are impressive examples of the way in which Fabergé’s sculptors carefully selected the perfect stones to emulate the natural texture and colouring of the figures they created.

The clock is equally representative of Fabergé’s hallmark guilloché enamelling technique in which layers of vibrant enamel have been carefully applied to achieve a deep and subtle blue surround for the seed-pearl set dial.

What was your response when you first encountered the pieces?
I wrote my dissertation on an aspect of the Portland Collection, so the opportunity to handle works of this quality with such interesting and important provenance has been fascinating for me. Opening the original Fabergé case to reveal the seal was a particularly exciting moment.

How do these pieces relate to the rest of the Portland collection?
These works by Fabergé reflect the important additions made to the Portland collection at the turn of the century and demonstrate its similarities to the Royal collection. Like the impressive jewels, paintings, sculptures and furniture offered from the collection, these works by Fabergé reflect a discerning eye for design that embodies the zeitgeist of its time.