Fabergé
Elephant c. 1910
Purpurine, rose diamonds | 3.7 x 3.9 x 4.5 cm (whole object) | RCIN 40270
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An elephant, in netsuke form, carved in purpurine with rose diamond eyes.
The stylised low-relief carving of this elephant, carved in purpurine with rose diamond eyes, particularly demonstrates Fabergé’s interest in Japanese netsuke carving. It was necessary for Fabergé’s sculptors to keep the carving dense to ensure that the fragile stone did not fracture. One of Fabergé's designers, Franz Birbaum, notes when describing the animal carvings, ‘it should be said that the pose was always as compact as possible, as dictated by the technique of the material’. Departures from naturalistic-looking animal carvings were not uncommon. The choice of stone colour - red elephants, blue rabbits and green dogs - was intended to add a humorous touch. Unlike the majority of Fabergé’s animals, his elephant models were occasionally repeated. Countess Torby, the morganatic wife of Grand Duke Michael of Russia (1861-1929), formed a collection specifically of Fabergé’s elephants.
Text adapted from Fabergé in the Royal CollectionProvenance
Bought by Queen Alexandra from Fabergé's London branch, 24 December 1912 (£11)
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Creator(s)
(jeweller)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Purpurine, rose diamonds
Measurements
3.7 x 3.9 x 4.5 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)