Faberge carnation model to top Bonhams at $840,000

Bonhams will offer a Faberge model of a carnation is its Russian Sale, which will be held on June 5 in London, as part of Russian Art Week.

Faberge Carnation model
A similar example is housed in the collection of Queen Alexandra, one of the world's biggest collectors of Faberge



The jewelled hardstone model is expected to realise $450,000-550,000 ($690,000-840,000). It was produced by Faberge in the 1890s, and is thought to be from the workshop of Mikhail Perkhin.

The flower is made from red jasper and inset with diamonds, attached to a delicate nephrite stem with leaves gracefully spreading from it. The complete flower rests in a rock crystal tapering vase, which is carved to imitate water.

The piece is considered important as another similar carnation - executed in gold, enamel and rock crystal - is housed in the collection of Queen Alexandra (1844-1925), queen-empress consort of King Edward VII and renowned Faberge collector.

Also starring at Bonhams' sale is a cigarette case gifted to Emperor Nicholas II by his wife, Empress Alexandra Fedorovna.

Christie's will hold its own Russian Art auction on June 3, headlined by a newly discovered masterpiece by Ilya Mashkov.

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