Carl Fabergé: Goldsmith to the Imperial Court of Russia

NY: Viking Press, 1979. Hardcover. VG/VG-, dj slightly worn along edges. Green cloth/color dj. 160 pp. over 100 color plates, over 80 bw plates. Think Faberge, and what comes to mind are images of fabulous, glittering jewelry, the mystery and allure of Europe's great royal courts and, of course, the magnificent Imperial Easter Eggs made for the Russian Tsars. Carl Faberge was, first and foremost, a goldsmith, and the exquisite objects that came out of the Faberge workshop at its peak represent the ultimate refinement of the goldsmith's art. Each piece was designed with the express purpose of bringing joy to its recipient. Accomplishments of the Faberge workshop were not limited to precious metals and lapidary work. Their enameling techniques consistently attained a subtlety and brilliance of technique that had rarely been matched elsewhere - the work glows with richly colored enamels used with unrivaled virtuosity.