BY FABERGÉ, WORKMASTER MICHAEL PERCHIN, ST. PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1890, SCRATCHED INVENTORY NUMBER 43611

Details

A JEWELED AND ENAMEL GOLD-MOUNTED ROCK CRYSTAL BONBONNIÈRE
BY FABERGÉ, WORKMASTER MICHAEL PERCHIN, ST. PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1890, SCRATCHED INVENTORY NUMBER 43611
Circular, rock crystal body with faceted edges, the hinged cover set with a gold medal commemorating the establishment of the Foundling Home in Moscow, depicting the profile of Empress Catherine II on obverse, and Faith holding a cross on her shoulder consoling a woman with infant in her hands on the reverse, within a rose-cut diamond-set rim and a green enamel laurel band tied with red ribbons, the cover with a gold border enameled with green laurel leaves, with a ruby and diamond-set thumbpiece, marked on rim with ‘Fabergé’ in Cyrillic and workmaster’s initials, the medal with Cyrillic initials 'V.N.' for medalist Vasily Nikonov on the obverse and reverse, circa 1880; in the original fitted Fabergé wooden case
2 ½ in. (6.3 cm.) diameter

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Lot Essay

This fine bonbonnière is set with a late 19th-century medal that reproduces a rare 18th-century commemorative medal marking the laying of the foundation stone of the Moscow Orphanage, also known as the Foundling Home, established in 1763 by Empress Catherine II.

The gold medal mounted within the cover was engraved by the medalist Vasily Nikonov (1833-1899) circa 1880. Measuring 29 mm in diameter, it is approximately half the size of the original 18th-century medal, which was intended for display rather than wear. In March 1880, Emperor Alexander II ordered the production of this smaller version in both silver and gold, to be awarded to members of the institution as well as to individuals of lower social rank who had demonstrated care for others.

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