A tiny mouse by Peter Carl Fabergé, the famous Russian jeweler, has exceeded its highest estimate by almost 6 times.
In fact, it was sold for 6.7 million dollars, starting from the highest estimate of 355,600 dollars. Is it a coincidence that as we approach Christmas, we are increasingly attracted to particular and sparkling creations?
Refined and elegant, the mouse signed by Fabergé is modeled in sapphire with ears and tail sprinkled with diamonds. This prestigious sale thrilled the spectators at the latest Sotheby’s auction in New York. Swinging on a star: The Collection of Bing & Kathryn Crosby was held live at the Palazzo Breuer venue. Yet, the mouse is not just a small animal reproduced in precious stones, it is a symbol. It is juxtaposed with the aventurine quartz sculpture of a seated lion with a mane — the eyes are yellow diamonds —, also signed by Fabergé, St. Petersburg, circa 1916. In this case, it refers to the fable of Aesop.
Lion and mouse together, according to Harry Crosby, represent the balance of strength, grace, and resilience. These are the values that supported the relationship of the parents, Bing and Kathryn. In Aesop’s fable, the courage of the little mouse, its demonstration of friendship and loyalty are juxtaposed with the kindness of the king of the forest. The lion cost 3,000 rubles and was one of the largest stones worked by Fabergé.
Christie’s and the record of the Fabergé egg
A few days ago, on December 2nd, Christie’s instead achieved the record for a Fabergé egg. “The Winter Egg” was sold at auction in London for 22.9 million pounds. That is for 30.2 million dollars, 26 million euros. This remarkable specimen in rock crystal is characterized by the famous snowflake motif that decorates the outer shell. The inspiration came to Alma Phil, one of the most creative designers of the Fabergé workshop, by looking at the ice outside the window. Inside, we find a wicker basket encrusted with diamonds. The basket is filled with anemones with gold wire stems and stamens, nephrite leaves, and a cloud of golden moss.
It was one of the last 7 eggs still in private hands among the 43 original creations that have come down to us. Sculpted in two blocks and decorated with over 4,000 diamonds, it is considered the most precious among the 50 eggs made. The last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, commissioned it as a gift for his mother. The tsar paid 24,600 rubles, the third most expensive commission for an imperial egg. Among the other lots of the auction, a sleigh in nephrite, gold, and diamonds, was sold for more than double (736,600 pounds from a base estimate of 350,000).
The case of Lalanne’s Hippopotamus bar
Another animal was the protagonist of a prestigious auction sale. It is the case of the Hippopotamus-bar designed by François-Xavier Lalanne which achieved the sales record for a work by its author. After a full 26 minutes of struggle to win it, during the design auction (Sotheby’s New York), the hippopotamus reached the figure of $31.4 million. It was commissioned in 1976 by Anne Schlumberger, philanthropist and patron of the arts supporting Lalanne. It is the only example of his work in copper.
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She has collaborated for many years with art magazines such as Artribune, XIBT Contemporary, ArtApp, Insideart and Espoarte, preferring contemporary art in its many facets and media drifts.
