in the neoclassical taste, the instrument inscribed in Cyrillic ‘storm/ rain/ changing/ clear/ very dry,’ the rose gold dial topped with a scallop shaped adjuster set with a cabochon moonstone, mounted within a richly decorated square shaped case with lilac enamel over a stippled guillochage, silver-gilt beeding to each edge and branches of green gold laurel embellishing the corners which surround the dial.
The side panels decorated with rose gold arrows intertwined with green gold laurel, a circular cartouche with a floral motif in each corner. The top comprising of inward curving panels of lilac guilloche enamel decorated with green gold garlands tied with rose gold bows mounted with rose cut diamonds, leading to an elaborate handle in gilded silver chased with a laurel leaf design and attached via a plate with further laurel leaf motifs.
Mounted on a white onyx base with reeded rose gold bun feet.
Signed: Hjalmar Armfelt.
St Petersburg, 1896-1908
Inventory number: 15313
Presented in its original holly wood presentation box, the lid satin stamped in Cyrillic ‘FABERGE, St Petersburg, Moscow, London.‘
Provenance
A Private European Collection.