SOTHEBY’S. Londra, 24 novembre 2008
La vendita di Sotheby’s di “Imperial and Royal Presents”, Fabergè , Oggetti d’Arte Russi, e doni da Maria Fedorovna Imperatrice di Russia a sua sorella Thyra, principessa di Danimarca ha raddoppiato la stima presala: dalle 748,060-1,101,080 sterline stimate ha totalizzato1,951,713 sterline. 94 i lotti venduti su 100 offerti.
Highlights:
• The top-selling lot and highlight of today’s auction, a Fabergé silver-gilt pearl and enamel heart-shaped photograph frame sold to a telephone bidder for £229,250, almost three times its pre-sale low estimate (Est. £60,000 – 80,000). Four bidders in the saleroom and on the telephones competed for almost five
minutes to acquire this remarkable Fabergé frame, which was a present from HIH Maria Fedorovna, Empress of Russia to her sister HRH Thyra, Princess of Denmark, Duchess of Cumberland.
• The second highest price paid in this afternoon’s auction was for a Fabergé two-colour gold and guilloché enamel bell push, which commanded £133,250, more than double its pre-sale high estimate (Est: £40,000-60,000. The bell push, by Michael Perchin of St Petersburg, was a gift from HIH Maria Fedorovna, Empress of Russia to her sister and was purchased slightly earlier than the photo frame in 1899. The domed body is decorated in lilac and oyster translucent enamel.
• A Fabergé miniature three-colour gold, jewelled, and enamelled bowenite hand seal in the form of a fish sold exceptionally well, realising a sum of £109,250 – more than nine times its low estimate (Est. £12,000-18,000).
• Further highlights in the sale include two Fabergé carved cats (lots 100 and 98), each respectively sold for £85,250 against pre-sale estimates of £30,000-50,000; a Fabergé agate, gold and enamel pendant desk seal brought £79,250, more than double its pre-sale high estimate (Est. £25,000-35,000); and a Fabergé four colour gold and guilloché enamel picture frame realised £67,250 (Est. £30,000- 50,000).
Info: www.sothebys.com
