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Imperial Barometer
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After obtaining the official warrant to supply objects for the imperial household and the Russian state in 1885, the House of Fabergé became the shop of choice for members of the royal family when purchasing appropriate gifts for the tsar who had everything. Records of these purchases reveal that in 1901 the tsar's brother, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich (1878-1918), bought a barometer in the neoclassical style made from palisander wood just a few days before his brother's 33rd birthday. The description of that barometer matches the one now in this collection and is likely the same object.
| Artist / Maker | Johan Viktor Aarne |
|---|---|
| Date | 1900–1901 |
| Culture / Origin | Russia, St. Petersburg |
| Medium | palisander, silver gilt, ruby |
| Dimensions | Overall: 14 x 12.5 cm (5 1/2 x 4 15/16 in.) |
| Department | Decorative Art and Design |
| Type | Miscellaneous |
About the Artist
Aarne received his training in St. Petersburg and returned to Finland, where he became a workmaster in 1891. In the same year he returned to St. Petersburg and became associated with Fabergé. 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.
Shipping & Collection
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