Larger-than-expected sale of a 30-carat aquamarine pendant, formerly linked to Fabergé and allegedly smuggled from Russia, fetched £35,000 at auction.
In a recent auction, a 30-carat aquamarine pendant set in diamonds and adorned with a pretty bow detail, which was once owned by a 12-year-old girl who fled St Petersburg in 1918, was sold for £35,000. The identity of the pendant's current owner remains undisclosed.
The pendant, which had an estimate of £7,000-£10,000, was part of Dreweatts' The Mastery of Fabergé, Jewellery and Objects of Vertu sale. When the pendant was consigned for auction, little was known about its history or maker. However, experts Geoffrey Munn and Stephen Dale, both renowned for their knowledge of Fabergé, agreed with Charlotte Peel, head of jewellery at the auction house, who suspected the pendant was a Fabergé piece due to its style and workmanship.
The pendant's journey began in 1912, when it was bought by the imperial family for 460 roubles as a gift. Its ownership, however, remains a mystery after the girl who initially possessed it fled St Petersburg during the aftermath of the October Revolution. Much was lost during this tumultuous period, particularly during the Red Terror, but new Fabergé ledgers, archives, and books of drawings are still being discovered.
As the years passed, the pendant was bequeathed to a friend in the girl's later years. It was only when the pendant was pulled from its original sale and added to a new one that its potential as a Fabergé piece was recognised.
Carla Passino, the Arts & Antiques editor for the platform, won awards for her coverage of heritage, conservation, history, and property stories. With a musical taste primarily for Puccini, Passino has made a significant impact in the field, having become the editor in 2023. She previously worked as a freelance journalist.
The sale of the aquamarine pendant adds to the ongoing fascination with Fabergé's work and the mysteries that still surround many of his pieces. As new discoveries continue to be made, the allure of Fabergé's creations is sure to endure.
The mysterious aquamarine pendant, being a part of the Fabergé Jewellery and Objects of Vertu sale, may not only reignite interest in fashion-and-beauty collectibles but also spark curiosity in home-and-garden enthusiasts who appreciate the history and craftsmanship behind such artifacts. As the unveiling of new Fabergé ledgers and archives reveals fragments of the past, one cannot overlook the potential impact on education-and-self-development and personal-growth, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of these cultural treasures.
