2340, undated

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER NEW YORK

#2340 A magnificent specimen of the animal sculpture of CARL G. FABERGE, the celebrated Russian Court jeweler, is this large owl carved out of a single piece of obsidian. This rare and excessively brittle stone is here used to the greatest advantage. It is so carved and polished as to bring out all the hidden lights. The model for the sculpture was apparently an old bird, who sits looking at us sideways in a most quizzical fashion. His large eyes are set with tiger eyes, mounted in each corner with tiny diamonds, all set in gold. The roving quality of the tiger eyes is in admirable harmony with the nature of the obsidian, which changes and gives such an unusual silvery-gray sheen when light strikes it at various angles. The fine carving and imbricated plumage are most typical of the genius of Fabergé. The wings are an interesting feature, being irregular in their foldings (sic), in conformity with the position of the bird, slightly turned. In the original Fabergé hollywood case.

MRS. JOHN L. PRATT