Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Mary's Fabergé Bleeding Heart, 1900

Bleeding Heart
circa 1900
Acquired by Queen Mary in 1934
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection 
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Another of Queen Mary’s important collection of works by the House of Fabergé, this little sculpture of rock crystal, gold, nephrite, rhodonite, and quartzite was made around 1900 and is considered one of the finest of the Fabergé treasures in The Royal Collection. 

Queen Mary acquired this study of “bleeding hearts” (a flowering plant which produces elegant arching sprays of heart-shaped red and/or white blooms) in 1934. The sculpture shows a double spray of the flowers, carved in rhodonite and quartzite. Three sets of delicately-carved nephrite leaves spring from green quartzite stalks. A vase of rock crystal serves as the base. To emulate the true nature of the flowers, the blooms are suspended on gold stems, articulated en tremblant so that they can move when the piece is touched, as if they were blown by the wind.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Mastery of Design: The Rhodonite and Rose Diamond Cigarette Case, 1911

Rhodonite, Gold and Rose-Cut Diamond Cigarette Case
Presented to King George V, 1911
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Fabergé's Henrik Emanuel Wigström (1862-1923), created this handsome cigarette case of rhodonite, gold, and rose diamonds in 1911.  

The Grand Duke Michael of Russia purchased this case from Fabergé's London branch on 6 July 1911 at the cost of £64).  July 6 was the wedding anniversary of  King George V and Queen Mary whose coronation was in 1911.  The Grand Duke presented the King and Queen with this case to mark the anniversary.  George V proudly displayed this magnificent piece with his important collection of cigarette cases and snuffboxes.

The rounded rectangular case of rhodenite boasts gold hinges and silver mounts. Pierced diamond-set strapwork mounts flank the silver thumbpiece which has been set with a large rose diamond.

Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Mary's Fabergé Bleeding Heart, 1900

Bleeding Heart
circa 1900
Acquired by Queen Mary in 1934
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Another of Queen Mary’s important collection of works by the House of Fabergé, this little sculpture of rock crystal, gold, nephrite, rhodonite, and quartzite was made around 1900 and is considered one of the finest of the Fabergé treasures in The Royal Collection. 

Queen Mary acquired this study of “bleeding hearts” (a flowering plant which produces elegant arching sprays of heart-shaped red and/or white blooms) in 1934. The sculpture shows a double spray of the flowers, carved in rhodonite and quartzite. Three sets of delicately-carved nephrite leaves spring from green quartzite stalks. A vase of rock crystal serves as the base. To emulate the true nature of the flowers, the blooms are suspended on gold stems, articulated en tremblant so that they can move when the piece is touched, as if they were blown by the wind.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Mastery of Design: The Fabergé Raspberries, c. 1900

Sculpture
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Made at the turn of the Twentieth Century by Carl Fabergé, this miniature sculpture is composed of rock crystal, nephrite and rhodonite. The piece takes the form of a spray of three raspberries carved in rhodonite. Nephrite makes the two leaves while the stalk is made of red gold. The small spray issues forth from a vase of rock crystal. This charming object was purchased by Queen Alexandra 1844-1925), Consort of King Edward VII who had a penchant for Fabergé.