Daisy Dunn

The art and science of Fabergé

Faberge’s products didn’t just defy comprehension, they were at the cutting edge of new developments

A French bulldog by Fabergé, carved from petrified wood, with an enamelled gold collar and diamond eyes, St Petersburg, circa 1912 [Private collection, images courtesy of Wartski, London] 
issue 20 November 2021

After all the magnificent presents she’d received from his workshop, Queen Alexandra was eager to meet the most famous jeweller in Russia. ‘If Mr Fabergé ever comes to London,’ she said to Henry Bainbridge, a manager of the design house, ‘you must bring him to see me.’ Peter Carl Fabergé paid a rare visit to the capital to inspect his new shop — the only one located outside the Russian empire — at 48 Dover Street in 1908.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in