Imperial Russian Enamel Leaf Charm

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Imperial Russian Enamel Leaf Charm

$4,250.00

Description

DATE: Russian Empire, c.1860

This remarkable antique leaf charm was made in the Russian Empire during the reign of Tsar Alexander II, circa 1860. It’s formed as a wych elm leaf, a large deciduous tree found throughout Europe and the middle east from Ireland to the Urals, and the Arctic Circle down to the Peloponnese. The top is finished in the most wonderful translucent guilloché pastel enamel and set with a single rose cut diamond, and the texture simulates that of a leaf remarkably. The detail continues at the back of the charm where the maker has taken care to include both veins and the midrib. This type of translucent pastel enamelling is often found on pieces produced by Fabergé and, although the workmaster’s mark is unclear, it’s quite possible this is a Fabergé piece - the quality certainly matches what we’d expect. Marked 56z (14k gold).

"Sevastopol" is engraved on the back in Cyrillic script, which makes me wonder if this piece was commissioned to commemorate the infamous siege of Sevastopol (1854-55). The siege took place during the Crimean War when the allied forces of France, Britain, Sardinia, and Ottoman landed at Eupatoria on 14th September 1854.

For further info on Sevastopol visit our new blog.

STONES

Rose Cut Diamond

MEASUREMENTS

20.6 x 16.0mm

WEIGHT

1.7g

MARKS

Russian hallmarks 56z

Maker's mark not clear

CONDITION

Very good, one small area of enamel loss