Fabergé workmaster
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A Fabergé workmaster is a manufacturer who produces jewelry for the Fabergé Co. These individuals, many of whom had headed their own firms before being merged into the Fabergé establishment, presided over teams of craftsmen and were responsible for executing pieces conceived by the company's designers.
The House of Fabergé was staffed with some of the finest goldsmiths and jewelers available. Interestingly enough, Peter Carl Fabergé did not actually create any of the famous eggs that bear his name. The business was divided into several small workshops, each with its own specialty. In addition to the fabulous easter eggs, the workshop also produced table silver, jewelry, European-style trinkets, and Russian-style carvings. The two master jewelers most responsible for the Fabergé eggs were Michael Perchin and Henrik Wigström. Born in 1860, Perchin became the leading workmaster in the House of Fabergé in 1886 and supervised production of the eggs until 1903. Those eggs he was responsible for have his MP (MP- Michael Perchin) markings. All signed eggs made after 1903 bear Henrik Wigstrom's HW mark. Of course, not all eggs were stamped, so other goldsmiths may have supervised production of some of the eggs. Altogether there have been more than 40 workmasters.
[edit] List of workmasters
- August Holmstrom (1829-1903) was appointed chief jeweler by Gustav Fabergé in 1857.
- Konstantin Krijitski]] painted miniatures for the Caucasus Egg and the Danish Palace Egg.
- Michael Perchin (1860-1903) is the most famous of Fabergé's workmasters. He was responsible for the crafting of the imperial Easter eggs from 1885 or 1886 until his death in 1903. His hallmark appears on all but the first egg made during those years. Although he was initially trained by rural craftsmen, Perchin's mature work recalls elements of the rococo and Louis XV styles.
- Prakhov painted the icon of the Resurrection of Christ for the Red Cross Egg with Resurrection Triptych.
- Wilhelm Reimer (d. circa 1898) made small enamel and gold objects.
- Henrik Wigström (1862-1923) became head workmaster upon Michael Perchin's death in 1903, thereby assuming responsibility for the imperial Easter eggs. Wigström was particularly adept at designing cigarette boxes, frames and figurines, which were produced in large number during the firm's most productive years. Wigström's style is characterized by echoes of the Louis XVI and Empire (style) periods.
- Johannes Zehngraf (1857-1908) was the chief miniature painter for Fabergé and decorated the Lilies of the Valley Egg.
- Vassily Zuiev (active 1908-1917) possibly succeeded Zehngraf as chief miniature painter and painted on enamels as well as ivory. An important example of his work is the Fifteenth Anniversary Egg.
- Victor Mayer (since 1989).
