Many collectors are fascinated by miniature objects! And this hobby was especially common among royal families. Craftsmen who are able to reproduce objects in the smallest detail are real virtuosos of their craft.
The great Faberge set a special place, an unattainable peak in the reproduction of miniatures. In this article, you and I, precious readers, will see objects created by Faberge and his masters.
Although Faberge is better known to us (if we talk about miniatures) for his figurines, mini-copies of the animal world:
They are incredibly charming!
We will admire with you miniature interior items and mini porcelain dishes.
This tea set is made of porcelain and covered with pale opaque white-blue enamel with gold decoration, the lids are topped with mini cabochon rubies. Silver box with gilding. Made according to imperial order.
Among the items of miniature tableware, there is a publicly available image of a jade teapot:
Today, most of the miniature objects that belonged to the late Queen of England remain in the Buckingham Palace Museum.
Some of these items previously belonged to the royals of the Russian Empire and, after the October Revolution, were purchased, and some were ordered by the English Imperial Court from Faberge himself.
Several items are in museums in different countries.
Miniature desk-secretary 1896-1903 Royal collection, England
Judging by her acquisitions, Queen Mary was particularly fond of miniature Fabergé fantasy objects, which include several examples of miniature furniture in the form of bonbonnieres (boxes). These objects gave the artist the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to use special techniques to reproduce the real materials of a full-scale object. This miniature Siberian jade piano is carved and polished to resemble ebony. The lid opens for use as a bonbonniere, and the front folds down to reveal a gold and enamel keypad. The piano originally belonged to Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna and is clearly visible in one of the showcases in photographs of the Faberge exhibition held in St. Petersburg in 1902. Queen Mary acquired it between 1922 and 1931.
This miniature Louis XVI style secretary/desk is one of two purchased by Queen Mary and demonstrates Mikhail Perkhin's skillful use of gold and enamel.
It was purchased by Tsar Nicholas II in December 1897 for 350 rubles and subsequently belonged to Prince Vladimir Golitsyn, from whom Queen Mary purchased it in December 1928. The globe is geographically correct and rotates within its mountings; 4x2-1/2
A miniature Faberge chair sold for US$2,28 million (2007).
This is the work of Faberge master Mikhail Perkhin, a copy of furniture created in 1839 by Leo von Klenze for Tsar Nicholas I for the New Hermitage in St. Petersburg.
The chair is made of gold and enamel, and its surfaces are sanded to resemble the grain of mahogany. Removable drawer in front.
Amazing detail on an 8cm miniature!
The next unusual item: a tiny Fabergé sedan chair (covered stretcher-carriage), bought almost a century ago for £75, sold at auction in 2019 for £380.
See gallery:
The tiny sedan chair made of gold, jadeite, crystal and pearls was made for the Russian royal family and then sold after the 1917 revolution.
The piece was made between 1899 and 1903 and is one of fewer than ten such models made by Mikhail Perkhin, a renowned master of Carl Fabergé.
Second sedan seat:
Another Faberge sedan chair of a different shape is kept in the Faberge Museum in St. Petersburg.
Miniature Faberge chair:
These are all miniature pieces of Faberge furniture known to the general public, but, perhaps once lost, they will suddenly appear from private collections and we will see more wonderful works of truly jewelry art!
