Baron Edouard de Rothschild: A Fabergé Guilloché Enameled Gold Table Clock. Fabergé, Workmaster Henrik Wigström, St. Peter...

Description

Baron Edouard de Rothschild: A Fabergé Guilloché Enameled Gold Table Clock
Fabergé, Workmaster Henrik Wigström, St. Petersburg, 1908-1917, with scratched inventory number 24079
3-3/4 x 4-1/4 x 0-3/4 inches (9.5 x 10.8 x 1.9 cm)
264 grams

PROVENANCE:
Baron Edouard de Rothschild (1868-1949) purchased at the London branch of Fabergé on December 16, 1913 for £45;
Thence by descent;
Christie's Paris, Derniers souvenirs de Ferrieres, November 16, 2023, lot 64;
Private Collection, acquired from the above.


The Rothschilds were internationally renowned collectors and acquired rare works of art, antiques, manuscripts, and other treasures at such a high level, that the term "Le Goût Rothschild" came into use to describe this exceptional combination of elevated taste and high luxury.

Mayer Rothschild was the first to register the family's racing colors of yellow and blue stripes in 1843. These colors were later used boldly by the family, and were incorporated into various Fabergé commissions for Leopold de Rothschild, a key client, beginning in 1909.

Henry Bainbridge, manager of the London Fabergé shop and a close acquaintance of the Rothschild family, recalled in his memoirs that Leopold frequently gifted Fabergé pieces enameled in his racing colors as tokens of appreciation. According to Bainbridge, Rothschild would discreetly place a blue-and-yellow Fabergé object into a friend's pocket. (H.C. Bainbridge, Peter Carl Fabergé, London, 1949, p. 83).

For examples of other notable Fabergé objects in Rothschild racing colors, refer to Fabergé, A La Vieille Russie exhibition catalogue, New York, 1983, p. 96. Other notable pieces include a Fabergé cigarette case from the Sinatra collection, sold Christie's New York, December 1, 1995, lot 46, and a pair of similarly decorated candlesticks from the collection of Alexandra, Duchess of Abercorn, auctioned at Christie's London on June 7, 2021 (lot 104), as well as miniature eggs sold Sotheby's London, Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons, February 12, 2020, lot 7.



Note: Due to increasing international regulations regarding tariffs, sanctions, and import restrictions on this lot, additional duties or other restrictions may apply to this lot. Heritage requires all Russian-made items that are shipped internationally to have shipping instructions on file. If you purchase this lot and would like it shipped internationally, you will be emailed our shipping instructions to review and sign after the auction, acknowledging your understanding of the applicable duties, regulations, and responsibilities associated with shipping Russian-made items internationally.

*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.