Henrik Wigström (1862-1923) took over the Fabergé workshop of Mikhail Perchin in 1903, continuing the exacting tradition of the finest Fabergé workmasters. Amongst some of his greatest achievements were a number of the Imperial Easter eggs, and cigarette cases commissioned by the Imperial family and others. His fine goldwork and use of enamelling are both renowned.
In a transcript of Wigström's discussion of the use of coloured enamels, he describes red as being the most valued of colours due to the gold content, added for part of the colouring process. It was undoubtedly saved for the more prized objects created in the workshops, just as rock crystal was used as a precious material in historic reference to the treasures of the renaissance and mediaeval kings.
In combining the use of princely rock crystal with precious red enamel, Wigström was obviously creating a special object, perhaps with an already important commission in mind.




A drawing of a similar rock crystal case, set with rubies and diamonds, from the design books of Henrik Wigström dated June 1911