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FRAME WITH MINIATURE OF ALEXANDER III

Creator(s): Fabergé (Firm) , Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin (Workmaster) , Johannes Zehngraf (Miniaturist)

On view in: Icon Room


About this object

Based on recent archival research, it is now known that Maria Fedorovna purchased this frame from Fabergé in 1896, after the death of her husband, Alexander III. It was presumably a gift to someone who wanted his portrait for a keepsake. The triangular frame is decorated in red enamel in a sunburst pattern emanating from the miniature, as if Alexander should be seen in a blaze of glory. The bow at the apex illustrates Fabergé's quintessential neoclassical style.

The frame is triangular in shape. The ground is orange guilloche enamel in a sunburst pattern, the rays emanating from a miniature of Alexander III in uniform. The miniature is framed by a row of tiny pearls and appears to hang from a bowknot holding a ribbon in red gold. The frame is bordered by a thin band of opaque white enamel and a tiny band of beaded silver gilt. The back is ivory and the miniature is unsigned.

Object name:
FRAME WITH MINIATURE OF ALEXANDER III
Made from:
Silver -- enamel -- ivory -- watercolor on ivory -- pearls -- gold
Made in:
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Date made:
1894-1896
Size:
3 13/16 × 4 5/16 in. (9.7 × 11 cm)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
12.601
Class:
SILVER
Signature marks:
MARK: 88, crossed anchors and scepter for St. Petersburg, Fabergé in Cyrillic; M.P. in Cyrillic for Mikhail Perkin; on strut 88, crossed anchors and M.P. [on rim] INSCRIPTION: on strut: scratch no. 53340 INSCRIPTION: Greek in Cyrillic scratched (Grek) [on the back of the ivory panel] On the right side of the miniature, above Alexander III shoulder it appeared to an inscription. It is almost faded away. The date V 94 is slightly visible.
Credit line:
Museum purchase in Honor of Oscar Modig on his Retirement, 1992