Lot 290: A Fabergé Gold, Translucent Enamel, and Gem-Set Small Photograph Frame, Workmaster Johan Victor Aarne, St. Petersburg, circa 1900

of arch-shaped form, enameled apple green over a guilloché ground and applied with varicolor gold and diamond-set ribbon bows, the oval aperture with a diamond-set border, with mother-of-pearl back and silver gilt strut marked with Cyrillic initials of workmaster, Fabergé in Cyrillic and 88 standard, also with scratched inventory number 7572. Contained in original fitted holly wood box

measurements height 1 11/16 in. alternate measurements 4.3 cm

The Collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post
Thence by descent

Such exquisite small frames were often exchanged as gifts among the royal families of Europe. Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia gave a similar frame by Aarne to Princess Thyra of Denmark (see Sotheby's, London, November 24, 2008, lot 19). A nearly identical small frame by Aarne in the British Royal Collection (RCIN 40227, see Caroline de Guitaut, Fabergé in the Royal Collection, London, 2003, cat. no. 198, p. 163) was a gift to the Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary) from the Prince of Wales (later King George V).