FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE: INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PAY TOP PRICES FOR FABERGE AT BONHAMS
International bidders, in the room and on the telephone, fought fiercely for works by Faberge masters at the Russian Sale that took place yesterday (8th June) at Bonhams, New Bond Street.
Evgenia Teslyuk, Director of the Russian Department comments “Faberge works with outstanding craftsmanship and quality were highly sought after by an international market, clearly reflected in the prices achieved. Bidders fought fiercely for rare Faberge pieces that are seldom seen at auction. ”
A rare, shaded enamel and silver-gilt kovsh by the Fabergé workmaster Feodor Rückert sold for £168,000, over six times the pre-sale estimate of £18,000 – 25,000. A silver-gilt and shaded enamel salt throne with richly stylised floral motifs also by Rückert sold for £60,000, with a pre-sale estimate of £30,000 – 40,000.
Another highlight was a silver-mounted enamel clock designed by Faberge workmaster Michael Perchin, which was given as a wedding present in 1903 by the Hon. Lady Miller, daughter of the 4th Baron of Scarsdale, and published in the Berwickshire News later that year. The stunning clock, with translucent mauve enamel and beaded rim, rosettes and entwined laurels on the front was estimated to sell for £60,000 – 80,000 but realised £156,000 to a European telephone bidder.
A realistically carved chalcedony model of a sow made by Faberge circa 1900, a fantastic example of its type, realised £96,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £17,000 – 30,000.
Further highlights of the sale included a painting entitled “The appeal of Minin to the people of Nizhni Novgrod” by Konstantin Makovsky that sold for £264,000 and “The village dance”, a colourful and energetic work by Philp Maliavin sold for £180,000.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 27 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com
