10:00 AM Central Time, Wednesday, December 17

Curators' Picks: December 17 Imperial Fabergé & Russian Works of Art Signature® Auction
Our curators picked their favorite items from our upcoming December 17 Imperial Fabergé & Russian Works of Art Signature® Auction.
| Nick's Picks Nick Nicholson | Director, Russian Works of Art & Museum Services
Emperor Nicholas II: An Imperial Fabergé Gilt Silver and Translucent Pink Guilloché Enameled Picture Frame
I have loved this exceptional frame since the first time I saw it more than thirty years ago when it still belonged to the family of Prince Chavchavadze. The fact that a work like this, which left Russia in the hands of its original owners, has remained in such impeccable condition is impressive. I am so pleased that it has resurfaced, and thaat we are able to offer it at auction.
A Fabergé Rose Cut Diamond and Pearl-Set Three-Color Gold and Pale Blue Translucent Guilloché Enamel Miniature Frame
All Fabergé frames are spectacular, but we have been fortunate to handle two exceptional miniature ones this year. This one, in ice-blue guilloche enamel from a collection in California, is impeccable. The proportions are so beautiful, that looking at it in a picture, one could easily believe it was 4" or 6" or even 8" tall. The style of the multi color goldwork, the precious stones and the pearls have been selected not just for their quality, but for their scale to enhance the illusion that this piece is barely 1.5" tall.
An Important Russian Porcelain Imperial Presentation Snuffbox
This porcelain imperial presentation box is one of the most exceptional I have ever seen and a rare survivor from the period of Catherine II. The paintings in full color and in grisaille are remarkable for their elegance and their precision in such a small scale. It has been many years since a box of this quality has appeared on the market, and I look forward to see where this exceptional work will find a home.
| Elinor's Picks Elinor Chalmers | Cataloguer, Decorative Arts
Empress Alexandra Feodorovna: A Fabergé Diamond-Set Two-Color Gold Translucent Blue Guilloché and Opaque White Enamel Pill Box
This elegant Fabergé pill box, crafted for Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, distills Imperial luxury into a tiny, luminous form. Its blue guilloché enamel, white borders, and single diamond accent show how effectively Fabergé paired rich materials with simple, confident design. It is a small object with an extraordinary historical presence, offering a rare, intimate link to the final chapter of Imperial Russia.
A Fabergé Translucent Pink Guilloché Enameled Gold-Mounted Gilt Silver Table Clock
This table clock stands out for its translucent pink guilloché enamel, which gives it a vibrant, polished look. The compact, unfussy design keeps the focus on the quality of the enamel and materials. It's a representative example of Fabergé's workshop, demonstrating the firm's steady hand with functional decorative objects.
| Xenia's Pick Xenia Amaya | Cataloguer, Silver & Decorative Arts
David Burliuk Flower, 1945
What I love about this Burliuk is how alive it feels. The flowers aren't arranged so much as bursting forward, each one painted with that bold, slightly eccentric energy that makes his work so distinctive. The unexpected details such as the seaside painting, the beetle creeping across the sill, add a sort of playful surrealism, like the painting is telling more than one story at once. It's the kind of painting you keep looking at because there's always some new little delight waiting to be noticed.
A Fabergé Translucent Pink Guilloché Enamel Gilt Silver Cigarette Case
This Fabergé translucent pink guilloché enamel cigarette case exemplifies the lyrical refinement of August Hollming's workshop. What makes this piece so wonderful is how irresistibly pretty it is. The pink guilloché enamel has a warmth and glow that feels cheerful, and the wave pattern catches the light in a way that makes it seem almost alive. I love how the rounded form sits comfortably in the hand, with just enough weight to remind you of its quality. And the tiny diamond-set thumbpiece is the perfect touch: quiet, elegant, and a little indulgent. It's a small object, but one that radiates pure delight!
Sincerely,
|  | Nick Nicholson Director, Russian Works of Art & Museum Services NickN@HA.com (214) 409-3014s
|  | Elinor Chalmers Cataloguer Decorative Arts ElinorC@HA.com (214) 409-1276
|  | Xenia Amaya Cataloguer, Silver & Decorative Arts XeniaA@HA.com (214) 409-1907