A silver pitcher shaped as a rabbit standing on its hind quarters, with hinged head, gilt interior and cabochon ruby eyes - stamped with Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow 1894, assay master A. Svetchin, 88 (zolotnik), height 9 ¾ inches (25 cm)

This pitcher and the six rabbits that follow were formerly in the collection of King Ferdinand of Bulgaria (1861-1948), one of Fabergé's most important clients, who, according to Bainbridge (1949, p. 27) is said to have offered Fabergé a ministerial post in Bulgaria. To which Fabergé is to have replied:" No, no your Majesty, not politics, I beg of you; but minister of the goldsmith's art, why yes, Sire, if you will it." According to family tradition, all seven pieces were originally contained in one large Fabergé box, now lost. While several similar pitchers exist, no other such group of rabbits seems to have survived. Fabergé used the models of several of the smaller rabbits as bell pushes, with the cabochon ruby eyes acting as pushpieces.

Private Collection