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Flower Study of a Lily of the Valley
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This flower study resembles a stem of lily-of-the-valley. Fabergé’s inspiration for his flower studies is said to have come from the floral brooches of precious stones that were made in the 1700s for Catherine the Great as well as from the Japanese art of flower arranging, known as ikebana. Small and delicate, Fabergé’s flower studies were given as intimate gifts to friends by the tsarina and others in the court. She also liked to take them around to wherever the imperial family was residing as a reminder of spring during the harsh Russian winters.
| Artist / Maker | House of Fabergé |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1885–1915 |
| Culture / Origin | Russia, St. Petersburg |
| Medium | pearls, diamonds, jade, rock crystal, silver, gold |
| Dimensions | Overall: 12.1 x 3.1 cm (4 3/4 x 1 1/4 in.) |
| Department | Decorative Art and Design |
| Type | Miscellaneous |
About the Artist
Peter Carl Faberge (1846-1920) took over the House of Faberge in 1870 from his father Carl Gustav Faberge who had founded the firm in 1842. Until 1881, the firm manufactured primarily jewelry for Saint Petersburg's aristocrats and wealthy elite. In 1885 the firm was awarded the coveted imperial warrant as goldsmith to the tsar and began to produce elaborate presentation Easter eggs as a gift for the tsarina from her husband every year. They also produced luxurious accessories, jewelry, and… Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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