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拍品專文
The present coupe-à-bec embodies Fabergé's distinctive neo-Russian designs in boldly chased silver. The revival of traditional Russian subject matter and technique is reflected not only in the ornament of the piece, but also in its distinctive form. The coupe-à-bec or endova, as it is called in Russian, was a traditional large spouted bratina used to pour wine, beer, honey and other beverages. Silver endovy were popular in Russia until the end of the seventeenth century (M. Postnikova-Loseva,et al., Russkoe Zolotoe I Serebryanoe Delo XV-XX vekov, Moscow, 1967, p. 93).
The scene on the present coup-à-bec probably derives from the twelfth-century Russian epic poem The Song of Igor's Campaign ['Slovo o Polku Igoreve'] about the defeat of Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich by the Polovtsians. Throughout the poem, the fictional bard Boyan uses the image of the falcon as a symbol of bravery and high aspirations of Russian princes and Prince Igor in particular. In Boyan's words, Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich 'flew like a falcon through the mists' to attack the Polovtsians. The present scene probably refers to Igor's capture by the Polovtsians, detailed in the line: 'If the falcon flies to his nest Let us shoot the little falcon With our gilded arrow'.
The traditional image of Igor as a falcon was an important motif in Alexander Borodin's opera Prince Igor, with the famous words in act four 'It is he - my bright falcon!' [On, moi sokol yasniy].
The traditional form, and sculptural use of jewelled silver relate the present coupe-à-bec to other Moscow designs by Fabergé in the neo-Russian style, such as the Boris Godunov desk set (Important Works of Art by Fabergé from the Forbes Collection, Christie's, New York, 19 April 2002, lot 111), the Ivan Kalita bowl and monumental bogatyr kovsh, all of which draw on traditional Russian stories as a source for ornament (A. von Solodkoff, et al., Masterpieces from the House of Fabergé, New York, 1984, p. 178, no. FAB83017 and p. 173, no. FAB81001, respectively).
Emanuel Nobel
Following the death of his father in 1888, Dr. Emanuel Nobel (1859-1932), took over leadership of the family business, The Nobel Brothers Petroleum Production Company. Founded in 1879, the company was the leading kerosene producer in Russia at the time. Emanuel Nobel's business successes were noted by Emperor Alexander III who requested that he accept Russian citizenship from 1891 until 1918.
Emanuel Nobel is considered one of Fabergé's most important clients. According to Francois Birbaum, Fabergé's senior master craftsman from 1893, 'E. Nobel, one of the kings of oil, was so generous in his presents that at times it seemed that this was his chief occupation and delight. Orders were constantly being made for him in the [Fabergé] workshops and from time to time he came to have a look at them. Often, he only decided for whom the present should be when the work was finished.' (Quoted in Birbaum's memoirs, St Petersburg, Fabergé: Imperial Jeweller, London, 1993, p. 454).
Six months before the October Revolution in 1917, which led to the nationalisation of the company in 1920, Nobel Brothers announced record profits. By this time the Nobels owned, controlled or had important interests in companies employing 50,000 workers, producing one-third of the total domestic consumption. In the summer of 1919, Emanuel left Russia with his family to settle in Sweden.
The scene on the present coup-à-bec probably derives from the twelfth-century Russian epic poem The Song of Igor's Campaign ['Slovo o Polku Igoreve'] about the defeat of Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich by the Polovtsians. Throughout the poem, the fictional bard Boyan uses the image of the falcon as a symbol of bravery and high aspirations of Russian princes and Prince Igor in particular. In Boyan's words, Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich 'flew like a falcon through the mists' to attack the Polovtsians. The present scene probably refers to Igor's capture by the Polovtsians, detailed in the line: 'If the falcon flies to his nest Let us shoot the little falcon With our gilded arrow'.
The traditional image of Igor as a falcon was an important motif in Alexander Borodin's opera Prince Igor, with the famous words in act four 'It is he - my bright falcon!' [On, moi sokol yasniy].
The traditional form, and sculptural use of jewelled silver relate the present coupe-à-bec to other Moscow designs by Fabergé in the neo-Russian style, such as the Boris Godunov desk set (Important Works of Art by Fabergé from the Forbes Collection, Christie's, New York, 19 April 2002, lot 111), the Ivan Kalita bowl and monumental bogatyr kovsh, all of which draw on traditional Russian stories as a source for ornament (A. von Solodkoff, et al., Masterpieces from the House of Fabergé, New York, 1984, p. 178, no. FAB83017 and p. 173, no. FAB81001, respectively).
Emanuel Nobel
Following the death of his father in 1888, Dr. Emanuel Nobel (1859-1932), took over leadership of the family business, The Nobel Brothers Petroleum Production Company. Founded in 1879, the company was the leading kerosene producer in Russia at the time. Emanuel Nobel's business successes were noted by Emperor Alexander III who requested that he accept Russian citizenship from 1891 until 1918.
Emanuel Nobel is considered one of Fabergé's most important clients. According to Francois Birbaum, Fabergé's senior master craftsman from 1893, 'E. Nobel, one of the kings of oil, was so generous in his presents that at times it seemed that this was his chief occupation and delight. Orders were constantly being made for him in the [Fabergé] workshops and from time to time he came to have a look at them. Often, he only decided for whom the present should be when the work was finished.' (Quoted in Birbaum's memoirs, St Petersburg, Fabergé: Imperial Jeweller, London, 1993, p. 454).
Six months before the October Revolution in 1917, which led to the nationalisation of the company in 1920, Nobel Brothers announced record profits. By this time the Nobels owned, controlled or had important interests in companies employing 50,000 workers, producing one-third of the total domestic consumption. In the summer of 1919, Emanuel left Russia with his family to settle in Sweden.