Tau-shaped rutilated quartz handle with a collar enamelled in translucent orange over a dashed guilloché ground, decorated with rose-cut diamond-set vertical bands, within two rose-cut diamond-set rims, with original screw fitting, apparently unmarked
3 in. (7.7 cm.) wide

Probably acquired by Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich (1861-1929) from the St Petersburg branch of Fabergé in November 1896 for 275 roubles.
By descent to Lady Zia Wernher (1892-1977).
By descent in the family.

Exhibition catalogue, Exhibition of Russian Art, London, 1935, p. 102, no. 524FF (listed).
Exhibition catalogue, A Loan Exhibition of the Works of Carl Fabergé, London, 1949, p. 19, no. 211 (listed).

London, 1 Belgrave Square, Exhibition of Russian Art, 4 June - 13 July 1935, no. 524FF.
London, Wartski, A Loan Exhibition of the Works of Carl Fabergé, 9-25 November 1949, no. 211.

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Lot Essay

Countess de Torby and Grand Duke Michael were regular customers of the London branch of Fabergé ever since it opened in 1903, as recorded in the London ledgers. Although Grand Duke's itemised invoices from the St Petersburg branch of Fabergé did not survive, the spending records of his ducal allowance in Russia still exist.

According to these records, he regularly ordered items from Fabergé, Ovchinnikov, Hahn, Grachev Brothers and other prestigious jewellery firms and silversmiths. It is possible that the present rock crystal parasol handle is the one recorded in his account books as a 'crystal handle by Fabergé', acquired together with an enamelled cup in November 1896 for 275 roubles.

Based on these records we know that in the period between 1891-1913 Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich spent more than 30,000 roubles on the works by Fabergé, which were then sent to his address in France or England.

We are grateful to Dmitry Krivoshei for his assistance with the research of the present lot.