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Lot Essay
Founded in 1842, Fabergé has been one of the most revered name in jewellery ever since Peter Carl Fabergé became official goldsmith to the Russian Imperial Court; the house created exquisite jewels and objects, including the legendary series of lavish and ingenious Imperial Easter Eggs. Peter Carl Fabergé was renowned for his exquisite and artistic use of colour, making the most of each gemstone’s unique characteristics and developing a vibrant enamel palette. His worldwide reputation attracted royalty, nobility, tycoons, industrialists and the artistic intelligentsia of not only Paris, Moscow and London but also America and the Far East, becoming the ultimate gift purveyor.
Henry Wigström was Fabergé's head workmaster between 1903 and 1917. He was responsible for, among others, almost a hundred works now in the Royal Collection, including an enamelled desk timepiece. Many of the hardstone animals and flower carvings acquired by the British royal family were also produced in his workshop.
Wigström was born in Tammisaari, Finland, where he was apprenticed to a local silversmith, Petter Madsen. On moving to St. Petersburg he started as a journeyman under Michael Perchin, and quickly became his most valuable assistant. Perchin was named head workmaster at Fabergé in 1886, and was succeeded by Wigström after his death in 1903. In this capacity Wigström created some of the firm's finest objects, largely in a neo-classical style.
Henry Wigström was Fabergé's head workmaster between 1903 and 1917. He was responsible for, among others, almost a hundred works now in the Royal Collection, including an enamelled desk timepiece. Many of the hardstone animals and flower carvings acquired by the British royal family were also produced in his workshop.
Wigström was born in Tammisaari, Finland, where he was apprenticed to a local silversmith, Petter Madsen. On moving to St. Petersburg he started as a journeyman under Michael Perchin, and quickly became his most valuable assistant. Perchin was named head workmaster at Fabergé in 1886, and was succeeded by Wigström after his death in 1903. In this capacity Wigström created some of the firm's finest objects, largely in a neo-classical style.