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Lot Essay
The present lot was acquired by the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty from Fabergé's St. Petersburg branch on March 10, 1912 among a group of similar pieces, with prices from 90 to 300 roubles each. Described on Fabergé's invoice as a pendant (kulon), the present lot, Dr. Valentin Skurlov suggests, was later transformed into a brooch with the addition of a pin on the reverse. It was a common practice of the Imperial Cabinet to transform works in their stock, even such costly pieces as presentation snuff-boxes, to suit a particular need or occasion for presentation.
Reputedly given to the family of Michael Grigoriev of the Imperial Capella Choir on the occasion of the christening of their daughter, Alexandra, in 1912, the brooch has descended in the family of the recipient. The Imperial Capella Choir, founded in 1479, was the first professional choir in Russia and was highly influential in the development of Russian choral music. A teacher of math and head of science classes at the Capella Choir school, Grigoriev was regarded as the best teacher in the school, where he served for twenty-five years.
For a further discussion of the subject of Imperial gifts with state emblems, see U. Tillander-Godenhielm, The Russian Imperial Award System 1894-1917, Helsinki, 2005, pp. 191-219).
We are grateful to Dr. Valentin Skurlov for his assistance with the research of the present lot.
Reputedly given to the family of Michael Grigoriev of the Imperial Capella Choir on the occasion of the christening of their daughter, Alexandra, in 1912, the brooch has descended in the family of the recipient. The Imperial Capella Choir, founded in 1479, was the first professional choir in Russia and was highly influential in the development of Russian choral music. A teacher of math and head of science classes at the Capella Choir school, Grigoriev was regarded as the best teacher in the school, where he served for twenty-five years.
For a further discussion of the subject of Imperial gifts with state emblems, see U. Tillander-Godenhielm, The Russian Imperial Award System 1894-1917, Helsinki, 2005, pp. 191-219).
We are grateful to Dr. Valentin Skurlov for his assistance with the research of the present lot.