A Russian Translucent White Guilloché Enameled Silver Table Box Fabergé, Workmaster Henrik Wigstrom, St. Petersburg, 1908-1917, with scratched inventory number 22680 1-3/4 x 3-3/4 x 2-1/8 inches (4.4 x 9.5 x 5.4 cm) 294 grams PROVENANCE: With Faberge, London, November 1915, 130 rubles; With John Atzbach Antiques, Bellevue, Washington; Acquired from the above by the current owner. Recent research has revealed that this beautiful table box has a story which quite rarely comes to light. The box was part of the stock at Faberge's London branch, where in late 1915, it joined a shipment of goods to be sent to Bangkok. These works are presumed to have been either purchases by the Siamese Royal family, or, perhaps, objects sent on speculation for purchase by them or by other wealthy clients in the Siamese capital. The Faberge firm had an insurance policy with Lloyds of London for this group of objects, and the offered lot, inventory number 22680 is described as ‘ [box] steel grey enamel etc.' and was insured at its cost of 130 rubles against any damage. "Touching the adventures and perils of the property...the Assurers are contented to bear and do take upon us as they are the loss, damage, or misfortune to the property..." as it traveled "in transit per Arabia and/or Maloya ... from London to Siam...". The policy is dated November 1, 1915. What happened to the box in Siam, and how the box left Asia remains unknown, but the work returned to the west, and ultimately joined the collection of the present owner. Heritage Auctions is grateful to Valentin Skurlov and Dmitry Krivoshey for their assistance with the research for this lot. Masterpieces of Russian Enamel from an Important American Collection HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved