It can be identified not only spectroscopically, but can be differentiated from the two types of true jade, nephrite and jadeite, by measuring its specific gravity - bowenite is 2.6, nephrite 3.0, and jadeite 3.3.Īrchival records, such as invoices, sales logs, or personal letters, would seem to be a reliable source for information on what stones or metal were used in creating a Fabergé object, but they can be misleading. Bowen first discovered this member of the serpentine mineral family in Rhode Island, where it is now the state mineral. Bowen (1803-1828), a chemist and mineralogist teaching at the University of Nashville, Tennessee. Dana in 1850 named bowenite after George T. To be absolutely correct, making distinctions between vermeil (gold-plated silver) and ormolu (gold-plated bronze) is important, as is the recognition of the different colors of gold found in specific objects.” Some gold surfaces are plated and gold is generally alloyed with other metals. “The identification of metals can be as tricky as the gemstones. For this reason, one generally should assume materials lists are at best descriptive and not absolutely accurate, unless evidence (specific type of analysis used, when and where it was done, proof of certification) has been provided to the contrary.” “Unfortunately, specialist gemologists or mineralogists are rarely consulted to identify or confirm most of the descriptions found in publications. But this type of testing is rarely done, even to the highest profile Fabergé objects. One way of testing the material is by spectroscopic analysis, which determines the chemical or physical constitution of the stone. A question about gem and mineral identifications of Fabergé objects recently came up in conversations about the shell of the Diamond Trellis Egg in the McFerrin Collection, specifically whether it is jadeite or bowenite. Historical information is not at all times absolute or accurate, and descriptions are very often based on assumptions, incomplete information, or conscious embellishment. The correct identification of materials in Fabergé pieces is not always an easy task. (Courtesy McFerrin Collection, Houston, Texas) Royal Collection Trust / © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2015 Presented to Tsarina Marie Feodorovna by Tsar Alexander III of Russia, Easter 1892 sold by the Soviet Government through the Antikvariat late 1920s with the dealer Wartski c. Material: Ivory, gold, diamond, brass, nickel It walks on ratcheted wheels and lifts its head up and down. The elephant is wound with a watch key through a hole hidden underneath the diamond cross on one side of the elephant. The automaton is almost identical to the badge of the Danish Order of the Elephant, the most senior order of chivalry in Denmark, except that it is made of ivory rather than white enamel and that it incorporates a mechanism. This automaton is described in Fabergé's original invoice and in an inventory of Imperial Easter Eggs made by Fabergé in the collection of Marie Feodorovna. The egg originally had a silver stand (now missing) and was fitted with a lining to hold an ivory elephant automaton and key. The Tsar presented the egg to his wife Tsarina Marie Feodorovna for Easter 1892. This automaton was made as the 'surprise' for the Diamond Trellis Egg, made by Carl Fabergé for Tsar Alexander III. For now only with Russian voice over! The discussion about the Diamond Trellis Egg starts at 52.07 miniutes of the video presentation!ĭescription elephant, from the Royal Collection webpage: Details and images of the find in the curator's talk which you can see here. Petersberg, Russia, Fabergé Museum.Īppearently the Fabergé marks on the small elephant were only recently discovered and the connecting link to the missing elephant surprise was made. Curator of the Royal Collection, Caroline de Guitaut, announced the news at the St. Update October 2015: It was announced that the surprise to the 1892 Diamond Trellis Egg was found living in the Royal Collection in London. 1962-1977 PrivateĬollection UK, 1983 Private Collection, UK, London. Sold by Sotheby's London to a buyer's agent. In the 1920's probably sold by officials of theĪntikvariat to Michel Norman of a Paris-based Australian Company. The Diamond TrellisĮgg is lined with white satin and has a space for the elephant To Alexander III, the Danish Princess Dagmar. The elephant appears on the coat ofĪrms of the Danish Royal family, and Maria was before her marriage The theme "elephant" is used several times Only six eggsĪre known to contain such an independent automaton, these areĮgg, the 1911 Bay Tree Egg, the 1914 Catherine the Great Egg and the 1900 Kelch Pine Cone Egg. In the 1900 Pine Cone Egg made for Barbara Kelch. Produced in his workshops, and was to be repeated eight years later Miniature elephant was the first Fabergé automaton
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