Fabergé: His Masters and Artisans

Product Details
Format:
Hardback
ISBN:
9781911604204
Published:
Publisher:
Unicorn
Dimensions:
272 pages - 270mm x 230mm

Carl Fabergé (1846-1920), jeweller to the Russian Imperial Court, enjoys iconic stature in the history of the goldsmiths’ art. His life’s work is still celebrated today, a century after the forced closure of his company in St Petersburg, capital of the then crumbling Russian Empire. Wherever Fabergé’s works are shown, whether at exhibitions or in salerooms, they delight and inspire. 


However no man is an island. Without a host of creative talents behind the scenes – designers, master goldsmiths and silversmiths – Carl Fabergé’s business could not have flourished. Fabergé: His Masters and Artisans lifts these craftsmen into the limelight; craftsmen who not only deserve our closer attention, but the captivating stories of their lives and careers add appreciably to what is known of the working processes at Fabergé. Featured here are names – familiar from the maker’s marks on countless Fabergé treasures – of men such as Erik Kollin, August Holmström, Henrik Wigström, Viktor Aarne, Gabriel Nykänen, and many others. The book also explores jewellery manufacturing methods, touches on the company’s wellknown and influential customers, as well as, of course, showcasing Fabergé’s very recognisable style and creativity. It contains much new information, including reminiscences, letters, and personal photographs alongside detailed images of Fabergé works.

Introduction Foreword by Geoffrey Munn 3. Orthography and Dates 4. Chronology of the House of Fabergé – Emphasis on the Craftsmen and Workshops 5. Background to the Fabergé family, Gustav Faberge 6. Hiskias Pöntinen, Gustav Fabergé’s Partner and Friend 7. Wilhelm Reimer, Andrei Gur’ianov. Edward Schramm 8. Carl Fabergé’s Years of Study 9. Erik Kollin, Fabergé’s First Head Workmaster 10. August Holmström, Fabergé’s Master of Jewellery 11. The Workshop of August Holmström 12. Mikhail Perkhin, Fabergé’s Second Head Workmaster 13. The Workshop of Mikhail Perkhin 14. Henrik Wigström, Fabergé’s Third Head Workmaster 15. A Series of Coincidences 16. The Most Important Work of Engraver Jalmari Haikonen 17. Albert Holmström, Fabergé’s Second Master of Jewellery 18. Alina Holmström, Designer of Garland Jewellery 19. Alma Pihl. From From Trainee to Designer of Imperial Easter Eggs 20. August Hollming. Jewellery and Cigarette Cases 21. The Workshop of August Hollming 22. Väinö Hollming 23. Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna’s Gift 24. Alfred Thielemann 25. Antti Nevalainen 26. Gabriel Nykänen 27. Anders Mickelsson, Vasilii Solov’ev. 28. Theodor and Anna Ringe 29. Viktor Aarne. “Our Lalique”. 30. Hjalmar Armfelt. An Extraordinary Life Story 31. Fedor Afanas’ev 32. Julius Rappoport. Fabergé’s Head Silversmith 33. Stefan, Konstantin and Alexander Väkevä. A Family of Silversmiths 34. Gilding the Guardian Angel of St Petersburg 35. Enameling Workshops 36. Stone Cutters 37. Oskar Pihl. Fabergé’s First Master of Jewellery in Moscow 38. Simo Käki. Master Case Maker 39. Appendices 40. Fabergé’s Marks 41. Fabergé’s other workmasters and contemporaries 42. St Petersburg’s master goldsmiths 43. Notes 44. References 45. Acknowledgements 46. Index
Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm Ph.D., is the great-granddaughter of St. Petersburg goldsmith Alexander Tillander, a supplier to the Russian imperial court. She has been researching the oeuvre of the Russian jewellers for many years. Her doctoral dissertation was on the award system of imperial Russia. She lectures, serves as a consultant for art exhibitions, and writes for exhibition catalogues and art publications in Finland and abroad. She has published several books on the art of the jewellers of St. Petersburg in Swedish, Finnish, and English, including Jewels of Imperial St Petersburg published by Unicorn in 2013.

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