We present to your attention a unique and extraordinary piece from our collection — a jade egg pendant featuring a silver bulldog figurine with ruby eyes, created by the legendary master Julius Rappoport.
The pendant is made of natural Russian jade, while the bulldog figurine is crafted from blackened silver and adorned with gold plating. Its eyes feature natural rubies.
Animal figurines crafted by the jewelers of the House of Fabergé were immensely popular among buyers of that era. With great dedication, the masters created miniature representations of beloved pets, especially dogs! These exquisite works of art were collected and exchanged as gifts among members of the imperial family.
An interesting fact: among the personal belongings of Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, which were transported to Moscow by the Provisional Government, there were about a hundred figurines by her beloved Fabergé. A special place in her collection was occupied by elephants—the heraldic symbol of her native Denmark—and dogs (bulldogs and pugs). Perhaps this was due to the fact that her husband, Emperor Alexander III, was affectionately called "bulldog" within his family during childhood. 😊
Julius Rappoport was the leading master of the Fabergé firm, specializing in the creation of magnificent silver animal figurines. His early works date back to around 1890. Having begun his career in Germany, he was influenced by the traditions and artistic inspiration of outstanding masters such as Wenzel Jamnitzer. This allowed him to achieve an extraordinary level of realism in depicting animals.
Rappoport's figurines are distinguished by their exquisite detail, and each feature is rendered with masterful accuracy. While silver animal models existed before Fabergé, Rappoport's works became a symbol of refined realism and unparalleled quality.
The figurine bears original hallmarks:
"α" (alpha) — indicating inspection by the St. Petersburg Assay Office, which was active from 1908 to 1917.
The woman's head in a kokoshnik, facing right.
"88" — the Imperial silver standard.
The master's mark: "I.P." followed by a dot — the initials of Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851–1917).
Pendant dimensions: Length: 32.5 mm; Weight: 11.85 grams.
This pendant is in good vintage condition!
An exceptional item!