When Carl Fabergé took over his father’s jewellery business in 1882, he quickly transformed it into the most successful jewellery firm in Russian Empire. The imperial family were Fabergé’s most important clients and in 1885 the firm was awarded the title of Supplier to the Court of His Imperial Majesty. The Imperial couple relied upon the firm to supply impressive jewellery made for state occasions, as well as smaller presentation pieces which would be given as souvenirs during foreign tours.

The present brooch is set with a rare orange-pink topaz which is often referred to as Imperial topaz, as this coloured gemstone was said to have been reserved exclusively for use in jewellery for the Imperial family.

For a comparable diamond and Imperial topaz brooch by Fabergé, see Exhibition catalogue, Fabergé and the Russian Jewellers, London, 2006, p. 23, no. 44 (illustrated).