Help With History of Figurine

[Massine]

I hope someone can help with identifying and guiding me to finding out the history of this object.
I worked on a Russian Nutcracker in which the designer copied a Faberge figurine.    We called it the "Bagpipe Doll".   I saw this object in the Kremlin Museum.  It was gold or at least gold colored and stood about three feet tall. 



Thanks in advance!

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Attention Massine:  Did you see this figure in the Armoury of the Moscow Kremlin?  What was the year?  Do you recall which room/gallery?  Regards,  AP

[Massine]

Circa 97.   The museum room had glass cases with plates (not dishes), candle sticks, urns all silver and gold (at least in color).  I believe it was the same room that had Faberge Eggs (those that had remained in Russia).
Sorry for my poor memory.  We crammed a lot in, in a short period of time.
The object was about three feet tall.  I've only seen pics of the Faberge object which was obviously a smaller version copy of this object.
I've always been curious as to the historical significance of this item.

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Attention:  "Massine" :    Thank you for your rapid response.  The reason that I asked the year was to possibly determine if the figure was included a "special exhibit."  I have personally been to the Armoury 2 times since your visit.  Unfortunately I do not recall such a figure, but as you have indicated there is an overwhelming amount to see, and the remarkable Diamond Fund display has a tendency to overshadow all else in memory!  I cannot recall ever seeing a Faberge object'art of this kind, though he did indeed make some rather fantasy items.  Possibly it is a caricature/allegory depiction of a folk tale or fairy tale personage.  Should I encounter any reference to this object,  I'll be certain to post.  Happy New Year to you and yours,   AP

[Massine]

And thank you Aleksandr Pavlovich!  I hope I get this mystery sovled before too long.
Happy New Year to you and yours!

[Mari]

I don't know if this will help with your research or not but Faberge did historical figures also. As an example I found this:  Keep in Mind that Empress Alexandra of Russia was Queen Victoria's granddaughter while the czar was a colonel-in-chief of the Royal Scots Greys. Could this be the key to the figure with bagpipes?
Example below of a figure that Faberge made!


FABERGE STYLE RUSSIAN FIGURE Faberge style Russian figure, carved hardstone and gold decoration. Figure of nobleman (boyarin) with staff. Marked: WG 10249. Size: 5 3/4"H, staff 4 1/2"L. Condition: good. Provenance: Estate of Gertrude A. Mellon. Note: see pl. 110 Bainbridge, Peter Carl Faberge, Spring Books, 1971 ed. for identical figure by Faberge. (530).

http://www.dargate.com/248_auction/248_images/1160.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dargate.com/248_auction/248_images/1160.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dargate.com/248_auction/248_images/248art.htm&usg=__WnLUiSViro_sJ6pSGGDIj8cOIqE=&h=500&w=352&sz=45&hl=en&start=1&sig2=UFDZ9ngPXFIdLH6YefizAQ&um=1&tbnid=OrVGuJUjSzajGM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=92&ei=b-JhSaLsNsibtwfis8SiDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3DFaberge%2Bhistorical%2Bfigures%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26newwindow%3D1%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Yes (adding to my previous comments), the  Faberge firm indeed made a number of small natural-colored " hardstone " folk-type contemporary and historical figures (the largest and most famous one being a noted female "Gypsy" singer), which are among his firm's most notable creations.  I have personally seen quite a few, but I have never seen a "bagpiper " and would be very interested to see such, should a photo show up.  These can be difficult many times to clearly identify as "Faberge", as they were not always marked/signed. (When marked, they were usually marked on the gold mountings or on the bottom of the figure by engraving.)  By the way, these type figures are still made in Germany, I believe, and in other places in varying quality, in the "Faberge-style."  You will note that this figure (a historical boyar) in the auction referred to above, is described as being in the "Faberge-style."   They offer a comparison from the Bainbridge book, but I wonder if they authenticated THIS item?   Regards,  AP