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Descriptif du lot
This rare model is among only a small number of Fabergé cactus studies known to have been produced by the firm. Although a photograph of this cactus from the 1930s is known, the location of the flower study itself remained uncertain until recently (see G. Munn, Wartski. The First One Hundred and Fifty Years, London, 2015, p. 74). Its rediscovery now offers a unique opportunity to acquire a rare example of a cactus study by Fabergé.
A design for a comparable cactus is illustrated in the album of completed pieces from the workshop of Henrik Wigström, kept in the National Library of Finland (see U. Tillander-Godenhielm, Fabergé: The Twilight Years, 2023, pp. 190-191). This study was completed in 1916 and represents one of the final flowers produced by the firm.
Although Fabergé created a wide range of flower studies throughout its history, only a small number of cactuses are recorded in surviving ledgers and inventories. The King and Queen of England acquired a hardstone cactus from the Fabergé London shop in December 1915. Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, an avid collector of Fabergé flowers, owned two such studies (U. Tillander-Godenhielm, Fabergé: The Twilight Years, 2023, p. 186). Another noted collector, Arthur E. Bradshaw (1879-1939), also had a hardstone cactus in his Fabergé collection (see J. Allen, The Impassioned Collector, London, 2024, p. 212). For a comparable but smaller Fabergé cactus see G. Munn, Wartski. The First One Hundred and Fifty Years, London, 2015, p. 81.
A design for a comparable cactus is illustrated in the album of completed pieces from the workshop of Henrik Wigström, kept in the National Library of Finland (see U. Tillander-Godenhielm, Fabergé: The Twilight Years, 2023, pp. 190-191). This study was completed in 1916 and represents one of the final flowers produced by the firm.
Although Fabergé created a wide range of flower studies throughout its history, only a small number of cactuses are recorded in surviving ledgers and inventories. The King and Queen of England acquired a hardstone cactus from the Fabergé London shop in December 1915. Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, an avid collector of Fabergé flowers, owned two such studies (U. Tillander-Godenhielm, Fabergé: The Twilight Years, 2023, p. 186). Another noted collector, Arthur E. Bradshaw (1879-1939), also had a hardstone cactus in his Fabergé collection (see J. Allen, The Impassioned Collector, London, 2024, p. 212). For a comparable but smaller Fabergé cactus see G. Munn, Wartski. The First One Hundred and Fifty Years, London, 2015, p. 81.