RH5380-6, Jan. 9, 1940

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] VERBENA Dainty flower form created by Karl Faberge, Imperial Russia’s most illustrious designer in gems. Fashioned as a small verbena plant, the tiny blossoms are carved in chalcedony and white quartz, the centers pointed with diamonds. These are joined to the gold stem by pedicels of gold. Leaves are in Siberian nephrite. The little tub, within which the plant is imbedded in gold soil, is of brown veined agate. Lower portion of the stem is fully hallmarked with the complete name of the master in Russian, “Faberge”; the initials of one of his ablest artists, Henrik Wigstroem; and the numeral “72” denoting the Russian equivalent of 18 kt. gold. From the collection of a member of the Russian Imperial Family. Number RH5380-6 Mrs. John L. Pratt January 9, 1940 FROM THE HAMMER COLLECTION – 682 FIFTH AVENUE – NEW YORK