Russian Imperial Antique * Questions and Answers from an Expert *

[Robert_Hall]

I am sure we all have stories about Russian antiques, especially Faberge.
 In Camden Town/lock There is a shop [I am assuming it is still there, although I have not been up there in a few years] that sells exquisite little Faberge style animals. The owner is Asian, so there is a fair guess as to where these come from.  They are simply beautiful, Right scale, exact matches. I do not know how the original animals are marked, never having had one,  but these could pass to someone who is not an expert.  Besides the ones that I have seen in books, catalogues and museums, he had others that  were clearly not one of Faberge's animals. Same quality, however. He never claimed they were Faberge, but  when  people assumed they were, he said nothing to disabuse them of the  notion [tourists, mainly]. They were not cheap nor too costly. Over the years, I bought a few as cabinet pieces and then later gave them away as gifts. All I have left now is a cat with saphire eyes.  When guests see it they  insist it is Faberge, I tell them the story yet they still insist I do not know what I have. Oh, well, let them believe. The Asian guy and I know, so what the hell ?
 BTW, the saphires are not real, I think.

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Re: Post # 30:  Interesting post, Robert!  To my memory, a few of the stone animals, figures (people) and flowers had engraved marks on the underside of the bases (and/or if gold-mounted, the feet, stems, etc. were marked on the gold).  I believe that most of the animals were unmarked. I'm not familiar with Asian "style-ofs" in this genre, but after all, if I recall correctly, K. Faberge was inspired by and even collected Japanese netsuke.  The potential that Asian artisans have done/do such "Faberge-style" work is certainly within their excellent grasp.
      Some years ago (and you may recall), the US magazine "Antiques" advertised for sale copies "in the style of" Faberge's rarest "standard" items: the flower studies. They were plainly labeled as products of Idar-Oberstein in Germany, a place well known for its precious/semi-precious productions . As yourself, while I have owned (and still do) Faberge, I have never had one of the animals, but have been fortunate to see quite a few of the animals, figures and flower-studies at close range in exihibitions in Europe and the USA.    Regards,  AP.

[Robert_Hall]

In China, a few years ago,  we went to a shop that specialised in "fabrications" They had a huge display of the Faberge flowers.  Hundreds of them. They were too cheap to be real, but they were beautiful. I was tempted to buy one or two just for decoration in the cabinets. Until, I discovered they were all plastic! I could not believe plastic could look so real. I am sure they were headed for souvenir shops all over the world.
 And in Russia itself, especially St.P.  one has to be extremely careful. They will tell you anything you want to hear and they are pretty good and  assessing the buyer  to see what they can get away with. Same everywhere, I guess.
 Oh they are also good at money tricks.

[Forum Admin]

Bob found a hardstone carver in China who made exact copies for him of the Yorkshire horse made for Edward VII by Faberge, in several different, genuine hardstones. they have gold collets and genuine sapphire eyes.  We know they aren't genuine, but some might try to pass them off as genuine.

[Eddie_uk]

Hello, please could anyone share any thought on this item? Is it Russian? It seems to be celebrating centenary from 1809-1909. Unfortunately the 9 is damaged. Thank you in advance!





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[Nicola De Valeron]

Eddie,

Yes, it's Russian one. It's a military badge of 51'st Infantry of HIM Tsesarevich Alexey Lithuanian Regiment. It seems to me that this one (you posted) is a variant for Officer ranks. Last dislocation of regiment - Simferopol, Crimea. Number 1809 is a foundation year. 1909 - centenary anniversary.

Btw, sorry for the question, where did you get it? I must say that the quality of this copy is pretty good;).

[Eddie_uk]

Hello Nicola, thank you, thank you for educating me!! That is so interesting to know, I have been wondering for ages what it was all about!
No need to apologise, I found it in the office at home. My Father must have picked it up somewhere a long time ago, he can't remember!

[Eddie_uk]

http://en.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/p/383343

I found this link about it too! It's all so interesting. It fires up my imagination & I love to wonder how it found it's way here, so far from Russia! Thank you Nicola!

[Nicola De Valeron]

You are welcome;). Btw, interesting source, never heard about it. Czechs have done a great site.

It fires up my imagination & I love to wonder how it found it's way here, so far from Russia! Thank you Nicola!

Good question. Although I'm not an expert on Russian antiques, but most likely (almost 100%) this badge has the common story. Just as an assumption: in original before Revolution it was the property of one of the graduated regiment's officers. After Revolution and Civil War, most likely, he emigrated as well as other thousands of officers (to France, or USA, Serbia, UK, etc.). Commonly these people being taken out from Russian reality, lived a poor life and existence abroad (of course the main amount). In this case, selling some of your valuable things which you brought from Russia (family jewels, decorations, etc.) and to earn additional money for the living was a common practice and significant help in difficult emigre life. After that selling badge lived his own life, changing owners endless times and being sold out on dozens of auctions.

Just my suggestion...

[Forum Admin]

Far less romantic, but many such badges were also sold by the box at flea markets and little shops during the mid 1990s in Russia. Bob used to bring home handfuls of them from his trips in those days as they only cost a few dollars each.

[Eddie_uk]

Thank you Nicola & Rob! Very interesting & thank you to the forum, as I have been wondering about it for so long. Of course we shall never know it's journey.  My father owned antique shops & auction house so I presume it came from there. Excuse my ignorance but would it be worn on a hat?

[Nicola De Valeron]

I've just imagine this badge on a hat;). No, it was worn mainly on the left side of the chest, just near the military decorations.

[Eddie_uk]

Oh I see, thank you, would there have been an award ceremony? I wonder if they where mass produced, one for every soldier!

[Robert_Hall]

 These were or officers, Eddie. The rank & file would have received if anything, a little badge or pin of some sort.

[Eddie_uk]

Ah I see, thank you Robert! This is an officers one & maybe other ranks would have had something different!