Bell push 1896 - 1900
Nephrite, silver, guilloché enamel, ruby | 5.2 x 5.8 x 5.8 cm (whole object) | RCIN 40124
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Bell pushes were among the myriad of practical objects that Fabergé produced. These were not purely functional, but were highly decorated desk accessories, embellished with enamel, gold of different colours and precious stones. Here the pushpiece is in the form of a silver elephant set with cabochon ruby eyes. This is almost certainly a reference to Queen Alexandra’s native Denmark, where the elephant is incorporated in the design of the senior Danish order of chivalry. The elephant stands on a tapered platform of salmon-pink guilloché enamel and a nephrite base. Tsarina Maria Feodorovna purchased eight bell pushes decorated with elephants from the Fabergé firm and this example is quite likely to have been a gift from her.
Mark of Karl Armfelt; silver mark of 88 zolotniks (1896-1908); Fabergé in Cyrillic characters
Text adapted from Fabergé in the Royal CollectionProvenance
Probably acquired by Queen Alexandra, c.1900
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Creator(s)
(jeweller)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Nephrite, silver, guilloché enamel, ruby
Measurements
5.2 x 5.8 x 5.8 cm (whole object)
Place of Production
St Petersburg [Russia]