Superlative artistry on display at Doyle Faberge & Vertu sale, May 23

Gilt-mounted malachite revolving dial clock, estimated at $20,000-$30,000

NEW YORK – Doyle will hold an auction of Faberge & Vertu on Tuesday, May 23, beginning at 10 am Eastern time. The sale will present a range of objects dating from the 17th century to the 20th century, including Faberge, vertu, silver and icons. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Highlighting the auction is a gilt-bronze mounted malachite revolving dial clock (pendule a cercles tournantes) made for the Demidoff family in Paris in the third quarter of the 19th century and estimated at $20,000-$30,000. One of Imperial Russia’s wealthiest families, the Demidoffs discovered rich seams of malachite on their estates and supplied artisans with the raw material. The clock was commissioned by either Anatole Demidoff, Prince of San Donato (1813-1870) or his nephew, Count Paul Pavlovich Demidoff, 2nd Prince of San Donato (1839-1885). Subsequently part of the collection of American financier and art collector, Charles Tyson Yerkes, Jr. (1837-1905), the clock last appeared at public auction in New York in 1912.

Faberge silver-gilt and cloisonne enamel box with original fitted case, estimated at $10,000-$15,000

Featured in the auction is property from a Westchester collector, a diverse selection of works lovingly acquired during the course of several decades in Switzerland, London and New York. The collection features works by Faberge’s Moscow branch, including a Faberge silver-gilt and cloisonne enamel covered box in the original fitted case, estimated at $10,000-$15,000, and a Faberge silver-gilt and cloisonne enamel kovsh, estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

Two-color gold-mounted jasper gum pot and hand seal by Faberge workmaster Michael Perchin, estimated at $15,000-$20,000

A Faberge two-color gold-mounted jasper gum pot and hand seal by head workmaster Michael Perchin, estimated at $15,000-$20,000, is an example of the fine gold and lapidary work produced by the firm in St. Petersburg. Further highlights by Faberge include a jeweled gold-mounted smoky quartz scent bottle by Michael Perchin, estimated at $15,000-$20,000, and a large Faberge carved Bowenite model of a frog, estimated at $12,000-$18,000.

Large Faberge carved Bowenite frog figure, estimated at $12,000-$18,000

A diverse selection of nearly 40 lots of Russian enamels and icons is led by a superb gem-set silver-gilt and cloisonne enamel icon of Christ Pantocrator by Ovchinnikov from a private New York collection, estimated at $25,000-$35,000. A selection of enamels by Feodor Ruckert, the most important enameler working in Imperial Russia, includes a silver and cloisonne enamel kovsh in the form of a rooster, estimated at $7,000-$10,000.

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