Empress Maria Feodorovna: An Imperial Fabergé Two-Color Gold-Mounted Translucent Pink Guilloché Enameled Gilt Silver Bell Push Fabergé, Workmaster Mikhail Perkhin, St. Petersburg, before 1896, with scratched inventory number 59779 2 x 2-1/4 inches (5.1 x 5.7 cm) 102 grams (gross) PROVENANCE: Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna; Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna; Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna; Prince Vasili Alexandrovich, sold April 1949; Thelma D. Zane, thence by descent; Private Collection, California. EXHIBITED: Fabergé in America, 1996-1997, catalogue no. 22. LITERATURE: Geza von Habsburg (ed.), Fabergé in America, Thames & Hudson / Museum of Fine Arts San Francisco: New York, 1996, illus. p. 46. The offered lot, an opalescent pink enameled bell push, is, in all ways but color, identical to one formerly in the collection of the Dowager Empress's bother, King George of the Hellenes (sold Christie's, London, From the Collection of King George I of the Hellenes, January 24-25, 2007, lot 400). Of great interest is the fact that the two bell pushes each bear the same scratched inventory number 59779. Research in the Russian archives has revealed that the offered lot, inventory No. 59779, an opalescent pink enamel bell push, was purchased jointly by Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna at a cost of 110 rubles on July 1, 1898, the cost designated to be split between them. The other from the collection of King George in lilac enamel had been purchased by Grand Duchess Xenia and her husband Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich on December 8, also for 110 rubles. It is not unusual for quasi-identical Fabergé pieces to bear the same inventory number. The offered lot likely devolved to Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna at the time of the death of the Dowager Empress in 1928; Zane family archives reveal that the bell push was already in the possession of Prince Vasili Alexandrovich by 1948, when it was acquired in April of 1949. Heritage Auctions thanks Valentin Skurlov and Anna and Vincent Palmade for their assistance with the research of this lot. Property of a California Family HID03101062020 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Recently given a conservation cleaning.

The bell push in overall exceptional visual condition, with regular wear to underside of base, consistent with age and use. Light regular wear to surfaces of all enamel areas from hands and time. One light hairline to enamel on lower hemisphere. The enamel with no visible signs of repair to the naked eye. Central opalescent white band with light oxidation to enamel at areas of the edges.

Under UV light, the upper hemisphere revealed to be entirely original enamel and intact. Central band original with no signs of repair. UV light to lower hemisphere reveals two areas of exceptional professional restoration: infill restorations to either side of the electrical cord aperture, as well as and 1.5" long horizontal infill at the edge of lower hemisphere where it attaches to base. Light seam separation visible to stamped and chased base.

Clear marks present on leaf-tip base, struck "M.P" in Cyrillic for Mikhail Perkhin, "88" zolotniki standard and city mark of St. Petersburg before 1899, and struck Faberge" in Cyrillic. Scratched inventory number located on underside of base.
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