made in Moscow between 1908 and 1917 by the 3rd Artel (cooperative) of Jewellers which specialized in high quality guilloche enamel jewelry and small enamel boxes. The 3rd Artel retailed its pieces through the firm of Faberge.
The pendant is crafted in 14K gold and silver. The front cover is embellished with a superb guilloche enamel of vivid royal blue color and is accented with a bezel-set old mine cut diamond. The interior is fitted with two gold miniature picture frames.
Marked on the back with 56 zolotnik old Russian gold standard and Moscow assay mark. The suspension ring is struck with maker’s mark ‘3АЮ’.
Diameter is 26 mm (1 in.)
The enamel is in pristine condition. Pieces like this pendant are very rare.
The quality of enamel produced by the 3rd Artel is identical to the quality of Faberge enamels. Apparently, the 3rd Artel was created by Faberge himself for tax purposes, since the artels, which first appeared after the 1908 reform, had preferential tax treatment. A 1910 advertisement of the 3rd Artel posted here, clearly states in the header that the employees of the Artel are former workmasters of the Faberge firm.
Sold without chain.
