Lot 0090
Russian Gold-Mounted and Agate Kovsh by Friedrich Koehli
Estimate: 3000-4000€
A Russian Gold-Mounted Agate Kovsh
Maker’s mark of Imperial Court Appraiser Friedrich Koehli (1837–1909)
Petersburg, late 19th century
Dimensions: 3 × 10.2 × 7.2 cm
Carved from richly banded agate in warm amber and cream tones, the kovsh is elegantly mounted with a sculptural gold handle of coiled, ribbon-like design. The refined balance between the natural stone’s beauty and the simplicity of its gold ornament reflects the sophisticated aesthetic of St. Petersburg court jewelers at the turn of the century.
Friedrich Koehli, a Swiss-born jeweler who founded his St. Petersburg firm in 1874, became one of the most respected goldsmiths of the Imperial Court. By 1902, his workshop was appointed official supplier to Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich, and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Exhibiting alongside Fabergé at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, Koehli served as a jury member and gained international recognition.
In 1903 he partnered with his son, Theodor-Friedrich (Fyodor Fyodorovich) Koehli, establishing F. & F. Koehli, which continued to produce fine gold and enamel works until 1911.
Starting price: 2500€
Estimate: 3000-4000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€
Related Lots
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Lot 0092
Faberge Gold and Nephrite Cane Handle by Viktor Aarne
Estimate: 8000-12000€
Lot 0092
Faberge Gold and Nephrite Cane Handle by Viktor Aarne
Estimate: 8000-12000€Faberge. Gold and nephrite cane handle.
Gold, guilloche enamel, nephrite, rubies.
Makers mark of «Faberge» and «VA». Petersburg, the end of the 19th century.This refined cane handle combines a carved nephrite grip with a gold mount decorated in guilloché enamel. The mount is embellished with delicate black enamel leaf motifs and set with cabochon rubies at intervals, adding subtle brilliance.
Johan Viktor Aarne (1863–1934) Born in Tampere, Finland, Aarne trained as a goldsmith before moving to St. Petersburg, where he worked for August Holmström and Michael Perkhin. By the 1890s he had established his own workshop, producing silver-mounted glass and ceramic objects for Fabergé, often in an Art Nouveau style that earned him the nickname “Our Lalique.” His works were favored by Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra. In 1904 Aarne returned to Finland, setting up a workshop in Vyborg, where he worked until his death.
See similar: https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2010/russian-art-n08628/lot.139.html
Very similar seal by M. Perchin see in the Royal British collection.
Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 5 cm. Total weight: 203.1 gStarting price: 6000€
Estimate: 8000-12000€
Hammer Price: 11500€ -
Lot 0088
Fabergé Gold, Silver and Enamel Bell Push by Henrik Wigström
Estimate: 10000-12000€
Lot 0088
Fabergé Gold, Silver and Enamel Bell Push by Henrik Wigström
Estimate: 10000-12000€Fabergé Gold, Silver and Enamel Bell Push
Workmaster Henrik Wigström (1862–1923), St. Petersburg, circa 1908–1917
Scratched inventory number: 61848Gold, silver, white guilloché enamel, cabochon garnet
Dimensions: 2.8 х 6 х 6 cm. Total weight: 92.2 g.Circular bell push set with translucent white guilloché enamel over a sunburst ground, centered with a cabochon garnet push piece. The border is decorated with gold chased laurel garlands and reeded edging in neoclassical taste.
Marked on the underside with Fabergé and workmaster’s initials H.W. for Henrik Wigström, and St. Petersburg assay marks for 56 zolotniks (15ct gold) and 88 silver zolotnik.
Henrik Wigström (1862–1923) is regarded as one of Fabergé’s most important workmasters, succeeding Michael Perkhin in 1903. Under his direction, the Fabergé workshops produced some of their most sophisticated creations in Louis XVI and neoclassical styles, including many of the Imperial Easter Eggs and objets de fantaisie crafted between 1904 and 1917.
Comparable examples:
A similar bell push by Wigström, with related enamel decoration and laurel motifs, was sold at Sotheby’s, London, Russian Sale – Works of Art, Fabergé, 2007, lot 499.Starting price: 8000€
Estimate: 10000-12000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€ -
Lot 0091
Faberge Cane Handle in the Form of a Bird’s Head by Mikhail Perchin
Estimate: 8000-10000€
Lot 0091
Faberge Cane Handle in the Form of a Bird’s Head by Mikhail Perchin
Estimate: 8000-10000€Faberge. Cane Handle in the Form of a Bird’s Head. Gold, rock crystal, sapphire cabochons, and guilloché enamel
Makers mark of «MP» and «Faberge». Petersburg, circa 1890s.
This finely carved cane handle depicts the head of a crested bird, rendered in translucent rock crystal with delicate feather detailing. The eyes are set with deep blue sapphire cabochons, lending the figure a lifelike intensity. The mount, worked in gold, is richly adorned with vivid cobalt-blue guilloché enamel bordered by gold bands.
Mikhail Perkhin (1860–1903), born into a peasant family, became one of Fabergé’s most important masters. After training in St. Petersburg, he opened his own workshop with Fabergé’s support and led it for 15 years, employing over 50 craftsmen. Perkhin created around 20,000 objects, including 28 Imperial Easter eggs such as the famous “Coronation Egg” and “Peter the Great.” His refined work in gold, silver, enamel, and precious stones earned him honorary citizenship and lasting renown; after his death, the workshop was continued by Henrik Wigström.
See similar:
https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2002/russian-works-of-art-faberge-and-icons-w02920/lot.122.html
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5630353
Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 3.5 cm. Total weight: 127.7 gStarting price: 7000€
Estimate: 8000-10000€
Hammer Price: 14000€ -
Lot 0089
Silver and Guilloché Enamel Table Bell Push by Mikhail Perchin
Estimate: 5000-7000€
Lot 0089
Silver and Guilloché Enamel Table Bell Push by Mikhail Perchin
Estimate: 5000-7000€A Silver and Guilloché Enamel Table Bell Push
Makers mark of “MP” and “Faberge”. Petersburg, circa 1900
Dimensions 5.4x 6.9 x 6.9 cm, Total weight 200.05 g
Crafted of silver and richly decorated with alternating panels of translucent red and white guilloché enamel, this bell push rests on four bun feet and is crowned with a polished cabochon amethyst finial.Michael Perchin, who served as chief workmaster of Fabergé from 1886 until his death in 1903, was responsible for some of the firm’s most famous Imperial Easter eggs and finely crafted objets d’art. His work combined technical mastery in goldsmithing and enameling with elegant, harmonious design, making Perchin’s signature a mark of the highest quality.
Comparable Works:
Christie’s, London — Lot 4857794: a Fabergé gold and guilloché enamel table bell. https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4857794
Sotheby’s, Imperial and Royal Presents, 2008 — Lot 20: a Fabergé enameled bell push, richly decorated and likely by Perchin’s workshop. https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2008/imperial-and-royal-presents-l08911/lot.20.html
Starting price: 4000€
Estimate: 5000-7000€
Hammer Price: 4000€