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FABERGE - GOLD NEPHRITE SWIVEL SEAL made for ROYAL FAMILY of MONTENEGRO, BOXed, from SOTHEBY's
For your consideration is an extremely rare Russian yellow gold and carved nephrite swivel seal from St. Petersburg, 19th century. The matrix is engraved with the letter 'N', surmounted by a coronet. This seal was made for the royal family of Montenegro, as evidenced by the crown visible in the images (please see information below). The seal comes in its original Fabergé box and can be worn as a necklace, making it a personal and unique item. This EXCLUSIVE item comes with a LIFETIME WARRANTY.
HALLMARKS: '56' standard for gold content and maker's mark on the ring, and 'AN' in Latin for Anders Juhaninpoika Nevalainen - famous Faberge workmaster - please see information below.
CONDITION: Overall condition good. The item is described to the best of our knowledge. For further details, please refer to the pictures.
PROVENANCE: 1. Sotheby's, New York, Russian Art, Sale N08628, 24 April 2010, Lot 146, A la Vieille Russie, New York, USA; 2. Hindman Auctions, Chicago, IL, USA (the winner will receive this information); 3. Reputable International Online Auction, USA - this item sold for $8,000 (the winner will receive this information and a screenshot); 4. International Online Auction, USA - this item was being sold for $75,500 (the winner will receive this screenshot); 5. Our sale of this item adds another layer of provenance (please save this page). History of sale is very IMPORTANT for serious collection.
DIMENSIONS: 1 3/8 inches (3.5 cm). Weight: 6.5 grams.
HISTORY of SALES: A few years ago, Russian gold seals (not swivel) were sold on Live Auctioneers, Sotheby's, and Christie's for $12,500 (3 years ago), $43,750 (11 years ago), $75,000 (11 years ago), and $105,000 (the same style, but not from Royal Family, 15 years ago). Please refer to the screenshots for further details (please note: the international currency was converted to USD at the time the item was sold). Today, prices have risen significantly compared to 5–10 years ago, and even more so when compared to 20 years ago.
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MONTENEGRO: Montenegro is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is a part of the Balkans and is bordered by Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north, Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo[d] to the east, Albania to the southeast, Croatia to the northwest, and the Adriatic Sea to the west with a coastline of 293.5 km. In 1910, Montenegro became a kingdom, and as a result of the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, a common border with Serbia was established, with Shkoder being awarded to Albania, though the current capital city of Montenegro, Podgorica, was on the old border of Albania and Yugoslavia. Montenegro became one of the Allied Powers during World War I (1914-18). In the Battle of Mojkovac fought in January 1916 between Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Montenegro, Montenegrins achieved a decisive victory even though they were outnumbered five to one. The Austro-Hungarians accepted military surrender on 25 January 1916. From 1916 to October 1918 Austria-Hungary occupied Montenegro. During the occupation, King Nicholas fled the country and established a government-in-exile in Bordeaux.

ANDERS JUHANINPOIKA NEVALAINEN: Anders Juhaninpoika Nevalainen was a Russian gold- and silversmith, Faberge workmaster of Finnish origin. Anders Nevalainen was an apprentice in Finland and in St. Petersburg in 1874, a goldworker in 1875 (and registered as an employee of Faberge), and a master goldsmith in 1885. As master first working in the jewelry atelier of August Holmstrom, he soon became head of workshop under exclusive contract with Faberge. His workshop made silver-mounted frames in birchwood, palisander or lacquer, silver- and gold cigarette-cases, enameled silver-gilt cases with leather sleeves, several small silver-gilt objects. His initials A.N, mostly used with K.Faberge mark without the double-headed eagle Imperial Warrant. The Nevalainen family returned to Finland after the Russian Revolution in 1917. Anders Nevalainen died in Terijoki in 1933.

SEALING WAX: Sealing wax is a wax material of a seal which, after melting, hardens quickly (to paper, parchment, ribbons and wire, and other material) forming a bond that is difficult to separate without noticeable tampering. Wax is used to verify something such as a document is unopened, to verify the sender's identity, for example with a signet ring, and as decoration. Sealing wax can be used to take impressions of other seals. Wax was used to seal letters close and later, from about the 16th century, envelopes. Before sealing wax, the Romans used bitumen for this purpose.

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