A rare lozenge-shaped photo frame by the legendary Russian maker Fabergé has an estimate of £5,000-£7,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ London saleroom tomorrow <July 31>.
While the name is best known for the famous eggs it made for the imperial Russian family, it also produced everything from letter openers to cigarette cases – as well as intricately-crafted photo frames.
The frame for sale, made in nephrite and silver, even bears the famous mark “KF” (Carl Faberge) in Cyrillic.
Decorated with green and yellow gold laurel leaf wreaths tied by a rose gold bow, it belonged to the owner’s grandfather who bought it in the 1950s, decades after it was made.
Fabergé was established in St Petersburg in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, under the guidance of his son, Carl, who joined in 1872.
After receiving the patronage of the Romanovs, the prestigious name expanded overseas opening in London in September 1903.
Its superb craftsmanship and glittering designs soon made it a favourite with the royal family and the fashionable elite, with Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII being Fabergé’s foremost customer.
The firm’s wares became the default present among members of the Edwardian elite for weddings and birthdays, or a thank you gift for an extravagant weekend house party.
When photography took over from portrait miniatures, clustered arrangements of picture frames became all the rage in fashionable circles
Hansons Auctioneers’ Chris Kirkham said: “Nothing sums up the opulent spirit of Edwardian times like a piece of Fabergé. In the case of this picture frame, we don’t know who owned it, or whose photograph was mounted in it, but rest assured it would have some tales to tell.”
But the glittering lifespan of the Fabergé firm didn’t last, ending abruptly with the Russian Revolution. In 1917 the London branch closed with the St Petersburg branch disbanding a year later.
Chris Kirkham continued: “The name Fabergé has become a byword for luxury and craftsmanship of the highest order. I can think of no better keep sake from these momentous years than this Fabergé photo frame.”
Auction Information
Auction: London July Modern Design, Interior, Fine Art and Jewellery Auction
Auction date: 31st July 2025 | 9.30am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
