Grand Duke George Alexandrovich: An Imperial Fabergé Rose Diamond and Ruby-Set Gold-Mounted Nephrite Cigarette Holder . Fa...

Description

Grand Duke George Alexandrovich: An Imperial Fabergé Rose Diamond and Ruby-Set Gold-Mounted Nephrite Cigarette Holder
Fabergé, Workmaster Mikhail Perkhin, St. Petersburg, circa 1897, with scratched inventory number 49766
3-1/2 x 0-1/2 inches (8.9 x 1.3 cm)
20 grams (gross)

PROVENANCE:
Grand Duke George Alexandrovich, purchased December 6, 1896.


The offered lot was purchased by Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia, the younger brother of Emperor Nicholas II, for 90 rubles on December 6, 1896. The elegant cigarette holder, encircled by a golden snake with gem-set head is a variation of a theme seen at Fabergé in miniature eggs, handseals, and other objects, where snake or serpent forms encircle luxury objects. The holder was billed to the Grand Duke, addressing him "H.I.H. the Heir-Tsesarevich in Abas-Tuman" noting his position as the heir presumptive of Nicholas II (a position he held until his death in 1899) and his location in Abastumani, Georgia, where the Grand Duke had moved for his health; he suffered from tuberculosis. Perhaps realizing that the cigarette holder was not a suitable accessory for someone in his state of health, the holder formed part of a group of objects returned to Fabergé by the Grand Duke and received by Agathon Fabergé on January 4, 1897.

Heritage Auctions thanks Valentin Skurlov for his assistance with the research of this lot.

Property from an Important Private Collection

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