RH5408-14, 1940

Containers:

Box SC-07 Box 1, Folder 10, Item SC07.02.3.141

Creator:

Hammer Galleries

Language:

English

Extent:

1 page

Preferred citation:

Lillian Thomas Pratt Personal Papers (SC-07). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Scope and content:

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] HUMMING BIRD Exquisitely carved figure of a humming bird with extended wing, resting on a high perch. It was created by Karl Faberge, world-famed court jeweler to Aleksandr III and Nikolai II of Russia. Formed in smoky-toned translucent agate, the little figure is modeled with simplicity and fine attention to necessary detail of feathers and expression. The eyes are set with diamonds. The perch on which it rests is of 18 kt. gold, the horizontal bar being finished at either end with a cabochon sapphire and a circlet of diamonds. Where the verticle [sic] rod joins purpurine base, banded and footed in gold in characteristic style of the master, it is encompassed by a collar of opaque and transparent enamel in white and pale tangerine. Rendered indistinct through the years, are the hallmarks which appear on the under rim of the base. These include the numeral "72" denoting the Russian standard of 18 kt. gold; and the initials "HW" for the Court Jeweler's notable workmaster, Henrik Wigstroem. The composition known as purpurine is associated, if not entirely, at least most closely with the work of Faberge. It was he who discovered the process whereby the fusing of porcelain and glass resulted in the extraordinary rich, red color. The substance results, more often than not, although in a few of the rarest pieces, such as the one described above, the composition is smooth. Number RH5408-14 Mrs. John L. Pratt January 9, 1940 FROM THE HAMMER COLLECTION – 682 FIFTH AVENUE – NEW YORK

Biographical / historical:

American--1

Acquisition information:

Gift of Lillian Thomas Pratt.

Physical description:

Paper

Physical facet:

Sales records

Related material:

47.20.212

Other descriptive data:

Hammer Collection, Hammer Galleries, Fifth Avenue

Digitization of the Lillian Thomas Pratt Archives has been made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Names:

Hammer Galleries

Places:

New York (N.Y.)

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