ANTIQUE 20THC RUSSIAN FABERGE JEWELLED SOLID SILVER RABBIT BELL-PUSH C.1900
20th Century Imperial Russian Faberge jewelled silver electric bell-push, realistically modelled and chased, resting upright on hind legs, head set with push cabuchon set eyes.
Hallmarked Russian silver 84 (875), Moscow, year 1899-1908, Maker's Faberge with Imperial warrent.
DESCRIPTION
Antique 20th Century Imperial Russian Faberge jewelled solid silver electric bell-push, realistically modelled and chased, resting upright on hind legs, head set with push cabuchon set eyes.
From the late 1880's, the ability to summon servants by electrical means was an enviable privilege afforded only to the wealthiest classes. Fabergé responded with a variety of objects to satisfy a broad spectrum of tastes and interiors interpreting bell-pushes in every style from neo-Renaissance to art deco.
Amongst these was a range of silver animal figures with cleverly concealed push pieces that shared many attributes with the firm's fashionable hardstone models in their lively, playful poses. Elephants, pigs, rabbits and bears were particularly popular.
Very few animal-form Fabergé silver items of this size were produced. Other examples include a beaver by Julius Rappoport, formerly in the collection of Count Bobrinsky and now in the Hermitage collection (ERO-5001); a pig in the State Depository of Valuables (Gokhran), Moscow; a dachshund; and a pheasant, the latter two in private collections. A rabbit-form ewers produced by the Moscow branch are known, one in the Lillian Thomas Pratt Collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (no. 47.20.214), and another, dated 1894, sold, Christie's Geneva, 12 May 1980, lot 230.
Hallmarked Russian silver 84 (875 standard), Moscow, year 1899-1908, Maker's Faberge with Imperial warrent.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - no damage.
SIZE
Height: 11cm
Width: 5 x 6cm
Weight: 285g