Page 80 - 18 KARATI GOLD&FASHION 228

DECO FANTASIES
78
In alto, nelle due pagine: una serie di pendenti a forma di uovo, finemente colorati e cesellati, firmati Fabergé. A fianco: lente d'ingrandimento in oro multicolore con gemme incastonate e smalto guilloché. Fabergé, maestro Henrik Wigstrom, San Pietroburgo, 1899-1908.
Above, on the two pages: a series of egg- shaped pendants, finely coloured and chiselled, signed Fabergé.
At the side: a Fabergé gem-set varicoloured gold and guilloché enamel magnifying glass, workmaster Henrik Wigstrom, St Petersburg, 1899-1908.
T
he rediscovery of design in decorative art clearly reveals the variety and vastness of the
phenomenon, at the Sotheby’s auction in
London on 28 November last, themed “Fabergé, Gold Boxes, Vertu & Imperial Works of Art”. From porcelain to egg pendants, from snuff boxes to silvers, from gold boxes to icons, the objects on show offer brilliant examples of style and creativity, to confirm the high quality of decorative art in Russia and in Europe, from the 17th to the 20th century. Excellent protagonist of the auction was to all effects a private Fabergé & Vertu collection, until today owned by the family, realised by the artisan masters of Fabergé with the clever use of various prized materials, from porcelain to lacquer, from hardstones to enamel. Other private collections were also sold at the auction which, aside from the works of the most important masters, included enamelled, gem-studded, stone and silver works, all distinguished by an excellent quality. Of significant importance is also the beauty of the hardstones, sculpted into new shapes or cut as cameos,