Lot 489: A CLAY BRICK MATCH HOLDER WITH JEWELLED SILVER MOUNT, ERIK KOLLIN, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1895

A CLAY BRICK MATCH HOLDER WITH JEWELLED SILVER MOUNT, ERIK KOLLIN, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1895 with two compartments and textured sides for striking, the base impressed in Cyrillic: 'Zavod/ A. Gusareva/ v Moskve', the arched Scythian-style handle with tapering reeded ends, the hinge terminals set with cabochon garnets, 84 standard width: 9.5cm, 3 3/4 in.

The form of this handle was employed by Kollin on three hand seals, one in the British Royal Collection (RCIN 13955); another illustrated, G. von Habsburg, Fabergé: Hofjuwelier der Zaren, 1986, no. 98, p. 140; and the third illustrated A. K. Snowman, Carl Fabergé, 1979, p. 48. For other examples of Gusareva bricks mounted by Kollin, see A. K. Snowman, Carl Fabergé, 1979, p. 46; Sotheby's London, 26 May 2004, lot 420; and the Royal Collection (RCIN 8337).