Works of Art & Faberge Appraisals & Appraisals

Get an online Russian works of art appraisal from our specialist in less than 48 hours. She is ready to appraise most Russian works of art including: Fabergé, jewellery, vertu, gold, silver, porcelain (Imperial and early Soviet), bronze, glass and military wares, with the noted exception of Russian icons and paintings. Whether it’s a fine Imperial porcelain vase or a rare badge of the Order of St. Andrew, our expert will provide you with a description of your item, including her views on origin date and value. Simply upload your photographs to get started. An increasing number of clients use our online appraisals even to check an item's value before buying a Russian work of art at auction or from a dealer, thus getting an independent opinion. 

Our Works of Art & Fabergé expert

Our specialist worked at Sotheby’s for 5 years, travelling and appraising fine Russian works of art, and meeting great collectors. She presided over sales of exceptional private collections and unknown masterpieces uncovered due to the recent boom in the Russian art market. She is well acquainted with Russian craftsmen and manufacturers from the 18th Century to the early 20th Century.

The market for Russian works of art & Fabergé

The market for Russian works of art and Fabergé is extremely dynamic, benefitting from the enthusiasm of new buyers from Russia, America, Europe and Middle East. Despite the difficult economic conditions of the last few years, auction houses have seen an on-growing interest in this particular field. The demand is strong for pieces of the finest quality, with impeccable provenance, resulting in astounding prices. The world auction record for a Russian work of art was established in 2007, with a Fabergé egg from the Rothschild collection selling for $18.5m at Christie’s London. The gold, jewelled and enamelled egg incorporated a clock and an automaton. The sale result was a world auction record for a Fabergé and a timepiece. Auctions for Russian works of art are held internationally, the most important of these are held in London and New York.

Commissioned by Tsars, gifted as vast dowries, presented to dignitaries and collected by travellers; the Russian objets d’art have filtered out of the country over the ages. Consequently imperial works dating from the reign of Peter I the Great (1682-1725) to Nicholas II (1894-1917) have always held a specific allure to the collector. The opulent and often distinct Russian design can be explained due to the Empire's rich source of minerals, the skill of local craftsmen and a stated desire for Russian works of art to compete with those made abroad. The Russian factories and workshops at times produced works obviously influenced by artistic movements abroad, for example Empire, but almost always retained a distinctive mark of the country of manufacture. Some examples of preeminent works envied abroad are the magnificent vases produced by the Imperial Porcelain Factory, period of Nicholas I; 19th century malachite veneered furniture and almost anything made by the ateliers of Carl Fabergé.

Recent impressive auction results in this category include:

In July 2010 Sotheby’s London sold a pair of Imperial porcelain vases, presented by Emperor Nicolas I to his daughter, dated 1842, for $3 million;

In December 2010 Bonhams London sold an Imperial Russian gilt-bronze lapidary centre table, commissioned in 1842 for the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna for $1.5 million;

In April 2009 Christie’s New York sold a Fabergé hardstone sculpture of a parrot for well over double the estimate at almost $200,000.

Get an online Russian Works of Art & Fabergé appraisal today

The online Russian works of art specialist from ValueMyStuff will consider all the evidence in order to cast his final judgement on the piece. Our service also provides a useful tool if you're looking to insure your valuables (be sure to check that your insurer will accept our certificate), as well as if you are thinking about buying or selling a Russian work of art. Getting a Russian works of art & Fabergé appraisal is easy with ValueMyStuff. Simply upload photographs of your item (be sure to include images of any hallmarks or other markings) and tell us what you know about the item, such as its weight (if known), provenance and dimensions. Within 48 hours, our specialist will provide an online Russian works of art & Fabergé appraisal, including any comments about the item, a printable certificate and a web certificate that can be used on eBay or other internet selling platforms.

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