765. FABERGÉ, pendant, platinum silver and gold, rock crystal, set with rose cut and brilliant cut diamonds, workmaster Albert Holmström, designed by Alma Pihl, St Petersburg, Russia 1913-1914.

In the shape of an egg with decor of frost flowers. Height ca 30,1 mm, weight 6,4 g; period box marked Faberge with cyrilles included

We extend special thanks to Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm for her help with the examination of the jewellery.

HISTORIAN
Biting cold combined with the reflections of the pale sun against the shiny surface of the ice, here in the form of sparkling frost flowers of platinum silver and diamonds against the clearest of rock crystal. This winter egg by Fabergé is a tribute to the Nordic winter as it shows itself from its most beautiful side.

The pendant was made by master craftsman Albert Holmström for Fabergé circa 1913-1914 after sketches made by his niece Alma Pihl.

Fabergé's customer Dr Emanuel Nobel, head of the Nobel oil empire in Russia and nephew of Alfred Nobel, placed an order for 40 pieces of smaller jewellery in 1911. The requirement was that the idea had to be original, made in precious materials, but not precious so that the recipients could perceive them as bribes.
The sun shone through the window in front of Alma Pihl's desk and made the frosty flowers on the glass pane show all their splendor. The artist sketched six different brooches in the shape of these ice crystals in her block. The jewellery was a success and the brooches were subsequently followed by a long series of ice flowers in various guises: necklaces, bracelets, pendants and charms. All of Nobel's orders. They were given as gifts at banquets to Nobel's female guests and then hidden in the white linen napkin by the envelope, they were distributed at large feasts and family celebrations. They found their way around Europe and America as beautiful souvenirs from Russia.