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Lot Essay
For a comparable Fabergé lighter in the form of a lizard, see Exhibition catalogue, A La Vieille Russie, Fabergé, New York, April 22-May 21, 1983, p. 115, no. 407. For a related sculpture of a snake embracing a turquoise base by Victor Aarne see Exhibition catalogue, Wartski, Japonisme: from Falize to Fabergé, London, 2011, p. 112, illustrated p. 113, no. 223.
This group of silver animals exemplifies Fabergé's ability to transform functional items, such as bell-pushes and lighters, into sculptural works of art. Julius Rappoport was probably the first artisan to make silver animals for Fabergé and was the leading designer of silver animal figures for the firm until his retirement in 1909. From then on Fabergé commissioned its silver animals to the First Silver Artel who were given all production molds from Rappoport's stock.
The design influences for these animals, which are both imaginatively and realistically observed, varied from European functional silver sculptures to far-eastern animal figures and Japanese netsuke, in particular. The bell-push shaped as a frog (Lot 219) is a great example of this influence. As with other works, the success of Fabergé silver animals was determined by its clientele. Both decorative and functional, these silver objects held broad appeal and were even sold from the Fabergé branch in London, like the bear bell-push (lot 220).
For more detailed information on Fabergé silver animals, see G. Von Habsburg, Fabergé Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, pp. 102-108.
This group of silver animals exemplifies Fabergé's ability to transform functional items, such as bell-pushes and lighters, into sculptural works of art. Julius Rappoport was probably the first artisan to make silver animals for Fabergé and was the leading designer of silver animal figures for the firm until his retirement in 1909. From then on Fabergé commissioned its silver animals to the First Silver Artel who were given all production molds from Rappoport's stock.
The design influences for these animals, which are both imaginatively and realistically observed, varied from European functional silver sculptures to far-eastern animal figures and Japanese netsuke, in particular. The bell-push shaped as a frog (Lot 219) is a great example of this influence. As with other works, the success of Fabergé silver animals was determined by its clientele. Both decorative and functional, these silver objects held broad appeal and were even sold from the Fabergé branch in London, like the bear bell-push (lot 220).
For more detailed information on Fabergé silver animals, see G. Von Habsburg, Fabergé Imperial Craftsman and His World, London, 2000, pp. 102-108.