RH1698-100, Jan. 9, 1940

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] FRAME Dainty, rectangular frame of gold-on-silver with mauve champ-leve [sic: champ levé] enamel on a guilloche field, in basket weave design. The oval aperture is rimmed in a fillet of gold set with pearls. The frame, bordered with a continuous laurel leaf design in green gold, and delicately enhanced by the subtle color it encloses, is wrought in the finely characteristic style of the master. The object is signed with the full name, in Russian, of Karl Faberge, celebrated court jeweler to Tsars Aleksandr III and Nikolai II of Russia. Frequent also is the number “88” for the Russian quality of silver; the Russian initials of Faberge’s assistant master, Mikhail Perchin; device of the St. Petersburg assay office, crossed anchors and sceptre; and the jeweler’s original order number #57700. The object is backed with ivory and has an easel as well as a hook for hanging. From the apartments of the Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna , wife of Nikolai II, in the Aleksandr Palace, Tsarskoye Selo. Number RH1698-100 Mrs. John L. Pratt January 9, 1940 FROM THE HAMMER COLLECTION – 682 FIFTH AVENUE – NEW YORK