August Frederik Hollming

(active 1870th – 1913, the workshop closed in 1915)

August Frederik Hollming, was a prominent Finnish and Russian silver- and goldsmith of Finnish origin. He produced silver and gold pieces both as an independent craftsman and as a Fabergé work-master.

Not much is known about the early life of this skillful artisan. It is definitely known that August Frederik Hollming came from an ordinary Finnish family. His father, Anders Gustaf Hollming of Loviisa, was a bookkeeper. As early as in the beginning of the 1870s he became an apprentice of Carl Friedrich Ekholm, a talented Finnish goldsmith, based in Helsinki.

In 1876 August Frederik Hollming moved to Saint Petersburg, where he registered as a goldworker. Soon after that, in 1880, the first workshop of his own was opened, and after a short while the prosperous goldsmith joined the House of Fabergé as a work-master. Both individually and for Fabergé, he produced spectacular enamelled jewellery, exquisite cigarette cases, miniature Easter Eggs and pretty gem-sets. The unique modern style and techniques, used by August Frederik Hollming, were far ahead of his time, and that’s why his items were in such high demand.

Along with Henrik Wigstrom, Michael Perkhin, Oskar Woldemar Pihl and August Wilhelm Holmström, August Frederik Hollming is undoubtedly one of the most skilful and gifted craftsmen that have ever worked for the House of Fabergé.

His finest techniques, marvellous enamels and unique innovative approach are still considered some of the best examples of the art of silver- and goldsmithing in Imperial Russia.