We are pleased to present a unique and extraordinary piece from our collection—a Bowenite egg pendant featuring a gilt silver elephant head figurine with ruby eyes, created by the legendary master Julius Rappoport.
The pendant is crafted from natural Bowenite stone, while the elephant head is made of blackened silver with gold plating. Its eyes are set with natural rubies. Exquisite detailing and masterful craftsmanship make this piece truly remarkable!
Animal figurines created by the jewelers of the House of Fabergé were immensely popular among collectors of that era. Fabergé’s master artisans meticulously crafted miniature representations of beloved animals, especially dogs and elephants. Emperor Nicholas II’s personal zoo housed several live elephants, gifted to him by foreign states as tokens of friendship and respect—creatures he greatly admired. These exquisite works of art were treasured and exchanged as gifts among members of the imperial family.
Julius Rappoport was the leading master of the Fabergé firm, specializing in magnificent silver animal figurines. His early works date back to around 1890. Having begun his career in Germany, he was influenced by the artistic traditions of renowned masters such as Wenzel Jamnitzer. This heritage allowed him to achieve an extraordinary level of realism in his depictions of animals.
Rappoport’s figurines are distinguished by their exquisite detail, with each feature rendered with masterful precision. While silver animal models existed before Fabergé, Rappoport’s works became a symbol of refined realism and unparalleled craftsmanship.
The figurine bears original hallmarks:
The master's mark: "I.P." followed by a dot—representing the initials of Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851–1917). "88"—the Imperial silver standard. A woman’s head in a kokoshnik. Cyrillic initials ЯЛ (Яков Ляпунов)—Yakov Lyapunov, Assay Inspector of the St. Petersburg Assay Office (1899–1903).
Pendant dimensions:
Length: 28.8 mm; Weight: 6.10 grams
The pendant remains in excellent condition!
An exceptional collector’s piece!