What a SMASHING piece!!!
This fabulous brooch measuring 69 mm long, was made by August Hollming, workmaster for the House of Faberge in Saint Peterburg.
This is based on the stamp appearing on the pin and the locking piece reading A*H.
This piece was made in 1890s.
Workmasters were the highly skilled goldsmiths who maintained their own manufacturing facilities and did work exclusively for Faberge in Saint Petersburg.
Fully signed with A*H and a Russian hallmark 56, for Zolotniks.
Zolotnik was the Russian purity measure and 56 was equivalent to 14K gold.
A*H was a hallmark of August Hollming who as many other workmasters was from Finland and worked for Faberge. You can read what Sothebys has written about this fine craftsman:
August Hollming | Art for Sale, Results & Biography | Sotheby’s (sothebys.com)
Below is the link to Faberge site where you will find more information about the wormasters and their hallmarks:
Fabergé Research Site – Workmasters (fabergeresearch.com)
This fine brooch contains a bezel set diamond measuring 6.1 x 6.3 mm in diameter (about 0.95 ct.) and a bezel set blue star sapphire measuring 7.9 mm x 8 mm x 3.8 mm about 2.40 carats.
Also there are 14 bead set diamonds varying in size in the main part of insect’s body. These measure from 0.03 carat to 0.22 carat.
They are set in silver as white gold was not in existence yet and the use of platinum was in it’s infancy at that period. These areas exhibit a patina built over many years.
We try to maintain the original condition as found.
If the buyer wishes, some of that patina on the silver can be removed but we advise against it.
At the end of this piece there are 4 cabochon cut rubies 2.0 mm in diameter, bead set with bright cutting around.
In the main part of the insect’s head you see the bezel set diamond with 3 flush set cabochon cut sapphires on each side. The diamond measures 6.1 x 6.3 mm in diameter and because mine cut diamonds are heavier than brilliant cut, it should weigh about 0.95 carat.
The sapphire cabochons measure from 2.7 mm to 3 mm in diameter.
In the transition between the head and main body you see 6 cabochon cut sapphires, bead set with bright cutting and 8 small diamonds, bead set with bright cutting.
These sapphires measure 1.5 mm in diameter.
The 8 small diamonds are about 0.005 carats each.
The top of the head is set with 20 bead set diamonds and 3 larger, prong set.
The 3 larger ones are 1.6 mm, 1.6 mm and 2.8 mm.
The eyes are cabochon cut rubies, flush set.
The total diamond weight of the small diamonds is 2.60 carats.
The total weight of small sapphires is 0.90 carats.
The total weight of rubies is 0.30 carats.
The back of the body has a slightly curved at the edges and pierced sheet of gold.
I have searched the Internet to find any comparable pieces from Faberge and could not find any with this complexity of design and workmanship!
This piece is all hand formed and constructed from sheet and wire 14K gold and silver.
The level of craftsmanship is what you would expect from the House of Faberge!!
This very important artwork belongs in a fine collection and is worth being in the collection of an important museum.
A spider brooch attributed to Faberge was featured in one of the Pawn Stars episodes and created quite an interest on the Internet. That piece was not documented in any way as made by Faberge and no expert was brought in to authenticate it! In my opinion it could have been a FAKE.
There are a few beetle and spider brooches offered on Ebay and other Internet sites that claim to be made by Faberge, all in my opinion FAKE.
The low level of craftsmanship negates their origin as works of Faberge!!
This brooch weighs 21.4 grams. Because of it’s size and weight it would be best worn in the vertical position.
This piece of art was appraised by Richard C. Huntington, a Certified Gemologist Appraiser in Las Vegas at $55,000 before the state tax is added!!! The buyer will receive the appraisal issued in their name. This is a $300 value and a necessity for your insurance company.
Take a look at this brooch offered by a reputable London dealer Wartski and it is half the size of the one offered here and not made by Faberge:
An antique gold and gem-set beetle brooch – Wartski
That one priced at over $12,000!!
Priced here at $55,000 Make Offer Text 702 526 8524