A gold and enamel commemmorative Pendant

BY FABERG, WORKMASTER ERIK KOLLIN, ST. PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1888

Details

A gold and enamel commemmorative Pendant
by Faberg, workmaster Erik Kollin, St. Petersburg, circa 1888
Oval, the front enamelled en plein with the icon of the Vernicle, the reverse engraved with the crowned cyphers of Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna and the Russian inscription 'In memory of our escape', both within a blue border, the side engraved with the name 'G.I. Girsh', with suspension ring and loop, marked on ring, the openwork link chain with a gold and enamel cross marked with the unrecorded maker's initials MC, circa 1890
1in. (3.8cm.) high (3)

Lot Essay

On 17/29 October 1888 the Imperial train was travelling too fast and crashed near the town of Borki on its way from Sevastopol to Moscow. None of the Imperial family was hurt, but 22 passengers were killed and 35 injured. The fact that the Imperial family escaped unscathed was attributed to the Tsar's great strength preventing the derailed coach crushing its occupants, and this was regarded as a miraculous escape by the Empress. A similar triptych sold at Christie's New York on 27 October 1987 had the names of the Imperial entourage engraved on the reverse; among them was that of G. Hirsh [in Russian 'Girsh'], the recipient of this medallion.