A Russian Moss Agate, Pearl, and Two-Color Gold Translucent Lilac Guilloché-Ground Champlevé Enameled Cigarette Case Fabergé, Workmaster Mikhail Perkhin, St. Petersburg, 1899-1903 3-3/4 x 2-1/2 x 0-3/4 inches (9.5 x 6.3 x 1.9 cm) 250 grams This cigarette case is an exceptional example of the variety of skills used by the Fabergé firm, and the combination of techniques utilized is worth noting. The centered oval moss agate plaque is treated almost as if it were a landscape painting set within an architectural framework of engraved gold linework in two colors. Though Fabergé often imposed such designs on top of guilloché enamel as mounted decoration, in this work, the gold linework is intrinsic to the base (as in champlevé technique), and the ground has been hand-engraved before translucent lilac enameling. The enamel surface was then ground down and polished, and the gold segments hand chased afterward. It is a champlevé case which simultaneously uses guilloché technique. Masterpieces of Russian Enamel from an Important American Collection HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved