1. The Finest Fabergé
Estimate £7,000–£9,000 Sold £47,500
This divine gold cigarette case made by Fabergé in St Petersburg, Russia, caused a stir when it came up for auction as part of the sale of ‘A Selection of Fabergé Masterpieces from the Harry Woolf Collection’, held late last November at Christie’s. The nubbly-textured case was made between 1904 and 1908 by ‘workmaster’ AugustHollming, and is scattered with diamonds and rubies, opening via a cabochon ruby push-piece. Full of admiration for the craftsmanship, Christie’s Russian art specialist Margo Oganesian says: ‘The cigarette case is a wonderful example of the ‘samorodok’ technique, when Fabergé goldsmiths tried to achieve the texture of gold in its natural state. This nugget-like surface is obtained by heating gold to a temperature near the melting point then cooling it in cold water. The case was then set with precious stones, making it a very chic and stylish piece. I personally find it very modern, despite its 100-year history.’ More than ever, Margo adds, Fabergé collectors are prepared to spend wild sums to build up collections of the highest quality and with good provenance.
