A Russian Cloisonné and En plein Enameled Gilt Silver Snuffbox Fabergé, Kurlyukov, and Attributed to Feodor Rückert, Moscow, circa 1905-1917 0-7/8 x 2-5/8 x 1-5/8 inches (2.2 x 6.7 x 4.1 cm) 82 grams PROVENANCE: Sotheby's London, October, 2008; John Atzbach Antiques, Bellevue, Washington, acquired from the above; Acquired from the above by the present owner. This snuffbox is notable not only for its exceptional En plein pictorial plaque depicting six figures, but for the insight into the workings of the retail trade in Russia before the revolution. It is well known that Rückert's workshop provided Moscow style enamels to larger firms such as Fabergé, Ovchinnikov, Kurlyukov, and others, it is less well-known that these firms sometimes bought from one another to keep their stock supplied. This box is unusual, rare, and perhaps unique in that it bears the marks of the Workmaster Rückert, overstruck by those of the retailer Kurlyukov, overstruck again by those of the Fabergé firm. This is an indication that the box may have been returned to Rückert by Kurlyukov, and resold to Fabergé, or that it was acquired directly by Fabergé from the Kurlyukov firm. Whatever the reason, it is a fascinating example of a work bearing the marks of three legendary makers. Masterpieces of Russian Enamel from an Important American Collection HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved