ANTIQUE 19thC RUSSIAN FABERGE SILVER-MOUNTED SANDSTONE MATCH HOLDER c.1890

DESCRIPTION

Antique late-19th Century Imperial Russian Faberge very rare & unusual silver mounted and sandstone match holder. Of round shape, sandstone body mounted with wings, half fluted collar and four ball shaped feet. Hallmarked Russian 88 gold (915 standard), St-Petersburg, year 1898-1908,Maker's mark I.P (Julius Rappoport, renowned Faberge workmaster), Of Jewish origins, Isaac Abramovich Rappoport was born in 1851 (although some sources say 1864) in Lithuania. After his apprenticeship in Berlin, he became a master in 1884 and moved to St. Petersburg, where he opened his own workshop and started working as head silversmith for Fabergé. A few years later he became a Christian and changed his name to Julius Alexander.

Rappoport produced a wide range of items, from small objects to large decorative pieces. Particularly sought after are his naturalistic animal figures, portrayed in lively and playful poses but he also executed massive centrepieces for the Imperial family, the Danish Royal family and aristocrats.

At his retirement in the early 1900s, Rappoport left the workshop and all its equipment to his workmen, who formed the First St. Petersburg Artel. Unfortunately the Artel ceased working a few years later due to insolvency and a decline in quality. Rappoport died in 1917.

CONDITION

In Excellent Condition - No Damage.

SIZE

Height: 9cm
Width: 12 x 9cm
Weight: 725g