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1. 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
2. A silver figure of a rabbit, naturalistically chased, standing upright on its
hind quarters, with left paw higher than the right, with cabochon ruby eyes and
gilt interior - stamped with Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow
before 1899, 88 (zolotnik), height 5 inches (12.8 cm)
Private Collection
3. A silver figure of a rabbit, naturalistically chased, standing upright on its
hind quarters, peering upwards, both paws extended, with cabochon ruby eyes and
gilt interior - stamped with Imperial Warrant mark of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow
before 1899, 88 (zolotnik), height 5 1/2 inches (14 cm)
Private Collection
4. A silver figure of a rabbit, naturalistically chased, in a crouching position,
with cabochon ruby eyes and gilt interior - stamped with Imperial Warrant mark
of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow before 1899, 88 (zolotnik), length 4 1/4 inches
(11 cm)
Private Collection
5. A silver figure of a rabbit, naturalistically chased, reclining with left hind
paw extended, with cabochon ruby eyes and gilt interior - stamped with Imperial
Warrant mark of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow before 1899, 88 (zolotnik), length
4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm)
Private Collection
6. A silver figure of a rabbit, naturalistically chased, washing its face with
its front paws, with cabochon ruby eyes and gilt interior - stamped with Imperial
Warrant mark of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow before 1899, 88 (zolotnik), height
4 inches (10 cm)
Private Collection
7. A silver figure of a rabbit, naturalistically chased, cautiously advancing,
with cabochon ruby eyes and gilt interior - stamped with Imperial Warrant mark
of Fabergé, assay mark of Moscow before 1899, 88 (zolotnik), length 4 1/4 inches
(11 cm)
Private Collection
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