MEASUREMENTS
alternate measurements
21cm. wide; 81/4in.

DESCRIPTION

the oval body polychrome enamelled in neo-Russian geometric and foliate motifs on a hammered silver-gilt ground, the shaped and pierced handle similarly decorated, struck K. Faberge in Cyrillic beneath the Imperial Warrant overstriking the maker's mark, probably that of Feodor Ruckert, scratched inventory number 35936, 88 standard

Feodor Ivanovich Ruckert was the only workmaster for cloisonnй enamel in the Faberge firm. Born Friedrich Mauritz Ruckert in Alsace-Lorraine in 1840, he came to Russia at the age of fourteen to work for either the Youssupov or Golitsyn family. For thirty years, from 1887, the year in which the Moscow branch of Faberge opened, until the Revolution in 1917, the year of his death, Ruckert produced highly original works of exceptional quality in evolving styles for Faberge, while also supplying other retailers including Kurlyukov and selling much of his production direct to the consumer.

 

Although of Western background, Ruckert found no difficulty in employing traditional Russian forms - in particular the kovsh - and decorative motifs in his work. By the turn of the century, the Old Russian stylistic elements of his objects were mixed with refreshing Art Nouveau devices, a natural combination as both styles were based on arabesque and foliate forms. While the palette and design of the present lot, including the coiled cloissons seen on the handle, are typical of his work during this late period of his career, the hammered silver-gilt ground left un-enamelled is quite unusual.

LOT SOLD 169,250 GBP