Lot 319: Prince Gorchakov: An Important and Rare Complete Fabergé Silver Toilet Set in Original oak Chest, Workmaster Julius Rappoport, St. Petersburg, circa 1900

comprising a Dressing Mirror with fruitwood back and struts, a pair of velvet-lined Jewelry Boxes, a velvet-backed Hand Mirror, a Pair of tall two-light Candelabra in the style of Meissonier , a pair of tall Scent Bottles in cut glass, a pair of smaller Scent Bottles in cut glass, a pair of Powder Boxes, a pair of small Candlesticks, and a pair of Trays, all items save the Dressing Mirror engraved with the coat-of-arms of Princes Gorchakov, the Dressing Mirror mounted with a cast and chased Gorchakov coat-of-arms, marked with Cyrillic initials of workmaster, Fabergé in Cyrillic with Imperial warrant and 88 standard, in original fitted oak chest

measurements height of mirror 26 in. alternate measurements 66 cm

The armorials on this set are those of the Princes Gorchakov, one of the most ancient Russian princely families who trace their origins back to the 9th-century ruler Rurik. Such toilet sets were frequently wedding gifts and, based on the date of this set, it can be presumed that this toilet set was a wedding gift from Prince Alexander Konstantinovich Gorchakov (1875-1916) to Daria Mikhailovna Bibikova (1893-?), a daughter of Princess Varvara Obolensky and lady-in-waiting to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, on the occasion of their marriage in 1904.

It is rare for such a complete toilet set preserved in its original chest to be found on the market. It is still more rare for the set to be associated with one of Russia's most distinguished noble families. Members of the princely family Gorchakov were noted for distinguished service to the throne throughout the history of Imperial Russia. Prince Dmitrii Petrovich Gorchakov (1758-1824) combined his government service with a career as a writer and was elected to the Imperial Russian Academy. Prince Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov (1798-1883) served as Russian State Chancellor from 1867 to 1883 and was one of the most influential diplomats of the nineteenth century.