RH5380-9, Jan. 9, 1940

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] LILIES-OF-THE-VALLEY Delicately wrought lilies-of-the-valley with blossoms in translucent white chalcedony with gold centers, drooped on long stems of gold, from the base of which rise leaves in nephrite. The little fantasy rests within rock crystal fashioned to represent a vase filled with water. The object was created by the celebrated court jeweler to Tsars Aleksandr III and Nikolai II of Russia. It is fully hallmarked at the base of the stem with the master’s full name in Russian, “K. [struck through] Faberge”; the numeral “72” denoting the Russian equivalent of 18 kt. gold; and the initials “HW” for Henrik Wigstroem, one of Faberge’s ablest workmasters. Number RH5380-9 Mrs. John L. Pratt January 9, 1940 FROM THE HAMMER COLLECTION – 682 FIFTH AVENUE – NEW YORK