BY FABERGÉ, WITH THE WORKMASTER'S MARK OF AUGUST HOLLMING, ST PETERSBURG, 1899-1903, SCRATCHED INVENTORY NUMBER 76389

In 1919, HMS Erebus took part in the British Invasion of Russia providing gunfire support in the White Sea and in the Baltic Sea. According to family tradition, the owner's father was given the present aquamarine and diamond pendant brooch by a group of Russian aristocrats, whom he ferried from Russia to England in 1919. The group originally wanted to sell the jewel so that they could pay for train tickets and a place to stay in London. The Admiral suggested the group take the piece to a local jeweller. The Admiral deemed the sum offered too small, however, and suggested that he give part of his naval salary for the smallest piece. The group vehemently protested that the Admiral should keep the pendant brooch as a gift for having rescued them, but he prevailed. This Fabergé aquamarine and diamond pendant has been in the family of the present owner since.