Fabergé style gold, nephrite, and rock crystal flower model

This Russian model of a flower is designed and crafted in the manner of Fabergé. The flower sprig rests in a tapered trompe l’oeil vase formed from rock-crystal, which is finished to resemble a glass jar partially filled with water. The gold stem of the flower sprig is realistically cast and finely chased to imitate the appearance and texture of organic bark. From the gold sprig spring four further stems, two laden with exquisitely carved nephrite leaves, the other two culminating in beautiful red flower buds—currently closed, but their white tips just about to open. The flower buds are carved from coral.

Famed jeweller Karl Fabergé is best-known today for the Imperial Easter Eggs he produced for the Russian court, but he and his company also designed and manufactured several other types of pieces. Chief among these was the series of hardstone flower models, after which the present piece follows, which he began producing in the 1880s for several important clients across Europe and America.