An outstanding example of Russian hardstone miniature, the figure of a “Boyar”, created between 1915 and 1917 in the hardstone workshop of Carl Fabergé, located at 44 Angliysky Prospect in Petrograd, under the direction of Pyotr Kremlev. This workshop, founded during one of the most dramatic periods in the Empire’s history, gave rise to a unique school of realistic sculpture in semi-precious stones. The presented miniature reflects the aesthetic and technical standards of this direction, showcasing exceptional execution and refined artistic conception.
The figure of the boyar is a meticulously designed composition, in which every detail, from the expressive face to the folds of traditional Russian attire, is crafted with utmost attention to form, texture, and proportion. The sculpture is executed in a complex multi-component technique using Kalgan and Orsk jasper, nephrite, flint, cacholong, together with chased silver and glazed enamel. The harmonious combination of matte and polished surfaces emphasizes textile and skin textures, giving the figure a lifelike sculptural presence.
Special attention is paid to psychological expressiveness. The slightly tilted head, focused gaze, and monumentality of the pose create the image of a proud and dignified seventeenth-century Russian nobleman. The proportions and rhythm of the figure are in harmony with the base, forming a complete miniature monument. The sculptural group is mounted on a finely polished stone base, emphasizing the figure’s verticality and directing the viewer’s focus toward the face.
The figure is accompanied by its original wooden case with silk lining, decorated with gilt stamping reading “FABERGÉ, ST PETERSBURG, MOSCOW, LONDON”, beneath the Russian Imperial coat of arms. The case is fully authentic and corresponds to the firm’s production standards for export pieces or gifts intended for the upper elite.
Marks: none, which is typical for Fabergé hardstone carvings of this class and period.
Dimensions: figure height 6 cm, width 4 cm, base diameter 4.7 cm. Case dimensions 7 × 7 × 7 cm.
Weight: 130 g.
Condition: the figure is in excellent condition with minimal signs of wear. The case shows signs of use.
Provenance: according to archival data, the figure was created as a miniature variation of a larger composition executed for Emperor Nicholas II in 1910.
In the final decade of the House of Fabergé’s existence, the development of hardstone carving emerged as one of its most original and aesthetically significant achievements. This discipline arose in response to wartime restrictions and evolved into a refined sculptural genre comparable in artistic stature to Fabergé’s legendary pre-1914 jewellery masterpieces. Faced with shortages of precious metals and gemstones, along with a shift in client preferences toward national styles, Fabergé turned to the vast potential of Siberian and Ural stones, initiating a new program of realistic miniature sculpture in semi-precious materials.
In 1915, a dedicated hardstone workshop was established in Petrograd at 44 Angliysky Prospect under the direction of Peter Mikhailovich Kremlev, a master associated with the Yekaterinburg school of carving. Staffed by approximately twenty artisans, including carvers, sculptors, polishers, enamellers, and assemblers, the workshop became the nucleus of what later came to be known in Western scholarship as the Verfel-Kremlov school of hardstone figures, noted for its realistic yet decoratively nuanced portrayals of Russian folk and historical types.
The present figure of a “Boyar” ranks among the most important creations of this tradition. Archival sources indicate that a larger version of the same composition, measuring 15.2 cm in height, was first executed around 1910 for Emperor Nicholas II. It later entered the collection of Agathon Karlovich Fabergé and was sold in England in 1939. In keeping with the firm’s strict policy of non-replication, the present smaller version, with a height of 6 cm, is considered an original chamber-scale variation. Its creation is dated to 1915-1917 and is attributed to the hardstone workshop operating under Kremlev’s leadership.
The Boyar figure belongs to an elite series of miniatures commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II. His collection included representations of a Carpenter, a Janitor, a Nursemaid, a Woman on Her Way to the Bath, a Soldier on Duty, and Court Cossack Kudinov, alongside the present Boyar. These sculptures, executed in jasper, jade, chalcedony, cacholong, flint, silver, and enamel, are distinguished by masterful modelling, delicate detailing, and exceptional artistic refinement.
The iconography of the composition likely derives from the operatic character in Modest Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov, a work particularly favoured at the Imperial court. The stylised pose, formal costume, and psychological intensity are characteristic of late Fabergé creations influenced by Russian historicism and theatrical culture.
Auction precedents confirm the rarity and value of this type. On 20 April 2005, Sotheby’s New York sold a comparable figure of a Boyar, St Petersburg, circa 1910, height 5.2 cm, for 1,808,000 US dollars as Lot 44, significantly exceeding its estimate of 600,000-800,000 US dollars. This result remains one of the highest prices achieved for Fabergé hardstone sculpture in the twenty-first century.
From a technical perspective, the figure is a complex multi-component construction executed in Kalgan and Orsk jasper, jade, cacholong, flint, silver, and glazed enamel. Each material was selected not only for chromatic harmony but also for symbolic resonance, with jasper associated with endurance, jade with wisdom, and cacholong with spiritual purity. The face and hands are carved with painterly precision, attesting to the exceptional skill of Fabergé’s artisans.
The original wooden case with silk lining and gold-embossed inscription “FABERGÉ, ST PETERSBURG, MOSCOW, LONDON”, accompanied by the Russian Imperial coat of arms, further confirms the prestige of this commission. Archival and museum records indicate that such cases were reserved for works destined for the firm’s London salon or for high-level diplomatic and ceremonial presentation.
This figure of a Boyar thus represents not only a rare and refined example of Fabergé’s hardstone school, but also a cultural document reflecting the aesthetic and symbolic priorities of late Imperial Russia. Supported by archival evidence, stylistic analysis, and technical examination, it belongs to the highest category of museum-quality and investment-grade Fabergé works, highly sought after by collectors and institutions worldwide.
In good collectors condition. Minor signs of handling consistent with age. All elements of the composition are intact. The original case is preserved in condition appropriate to its period of manufacture.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
