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Lot Essay
Sir William Seeds KCMG (1882-1973) was a British diplomat from 1904-1940. Having served in various countries around Europe, South and North America, his last diplomatic appointment was as Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1939-40.
The revival of the Fabergé market after the Russian Revolution is closely associated with the 1930s, when Sir William Seeds, a great connoisseur of Russian arts and culture, became one of the very first of a new generation of great collectors of Fabergé. He acquired a collection of ten rare Fabergé hardstone figures, which he called 'my little men'. Sir William bequeathed a Nicholas II Imperial Presentation Box to the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is currently on display.
The revival of the Fabergé market after the Russian Revolution is closely associated with the 1930s, when Sir William Seeds, a great connoisseur of Russian arts and culture, became one of the very first of a new generation of great collectors of Fabergé. He acquired a collection of ten rare Fabergé hardstone figures, which he called 'my little men'. Sir William bequeathed a Nicholas II Imperial Presentation Box to the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is currently on display.