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 Finnish-born 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 Fabergé workmasters (not completed)

  • 1st Silver- Artel (1896-1917). Fabergé commissioned many silver articles from the 1st Silver-Artel. Mark is: 'ICA'.
  • Aarne, Johan Victor (1863-1934) a Finnish workmaster whose signature is to be found on enameled gold and silver articles. Mark is: 'BA' (Russian spelling: 'VA').
  • Afanasiev, Feodor Alexeievich, made small objects of gild silver, guilloché enamel and hardstone objects with gild-silver, small frames and cigarette cases. His mark: 'FA' in Russian Cyrillic (Ф.A.).
  • Armfeldt, Karl Gustaf Hjalmar (1873-1959) a Finnish workmaster, producing enameled objects for Fabergé until 1916. His hallmarks: 'Ya A' in Russian Cyrillic (ЯA).
  • Hollming, August Frederik (1854-1915) born in Loppi, Finland, a Finnish workmaster who worked for Faberge from 1880. His hallmark is 'A*H'.
  • Holmström, Albert (1876-1925) a Finnish workmaster, born in Kirkkonummi, Finland. He was a son of August Holmström. Used the mark of 'AH' same as August Wilhelm Holmström.
  • Holmström, August Wilhelm (1829-1903) a Finnish workmaster, who was appointed chief jeweler by Gustav Fabergé in 1857. His master mark is 'AH'.
  • Kollin, Erik August (1836-1901) Fabergé's Finnish head workmaster until 1886. His hallmarks: 'E.K.'
  • Krijitski, Konstantin painted miniatures for the Caucasus Egg and the Danish Palace Egg.
  • Lundell, G., head workmaster of Fabergé's Odessa branch. 'GL' in Russian Cyrillic.
  • Mayer, Victor (since 1989).
  • Michelson, Anders (1839-?) a Finnish workmaster who made gold cigarette cases and small enameled objects. His hallmark is 'AM'.
  • Nevalainen, Anders (1858-1933), a Finnish workmaster.
  • Niukkanen, Gabriel, a Finnish workmaster. Had an independent workshop in the Kazanskaya Street in St. Petersburg in the 1870s years. Workmaster for Fabergé in 1885. Made small silver and gold articles, enameled frames and cigarette cases from gold and silver.
  • Perchin, Michael (Michael Evlampievitch 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. His hallmarks: 'M.P.' in Russian Cyrillic.
  • Phil, Alma (1888 Moscow - 1976 Helsinki), Oskar Pihl's daughter, the only female and one of the best known designer/workmaster who worked for Faberge. As a self traineed designer she started to work for Faberge in 1909. She designed the famous Winter Easter Egg in 1913 and Mosaic Easter Egg, which now belongs to the collection of H. M. the queen Elisabeth of Great Britain, in 1914, and also many pieces of fine jewellry of which the most famous is a collection of snowflake jewellry.
  • Pihl, Oskar Woldemar (1860-1897), Finnish-born, One of the most famous head workmasters at The House of Fabergé. Made small items of jewellery such as tie pin. His mark: 'OP'.
  • Prakhov painted the icon of the Resurrection of Christ for the Red Cross Egg with Resurrection Triptych.
  • Rappoport, Julius (1864-1916) Fabergé’s most important supplier of silver objects in St.Petersburg. His hallmarks: 'I.R.' in Russian Cyrillic (I.P.).
  • Reimer, Wilhelm (d. circa 1898), born in Pernau, Lettland made small enamel and gold objects. His master mark: 'W.R'.
  • Ringe, Philip Theodor, had own workshop from 1893. Made objects in enameled gold and silver. His mark is 'T.R'.
  • Rückert, Feodor (1840-1917) workmaster in Moscow, made cloisonné enamel articles for Fabergé. His hallmarks: 'F.R.' in Russian Cyrillic (Ф.Р.).
  • Soloviev, Vladimir, his mark can be found under the enamel on pieces made for export to England. Made similar object toPhilip Theodor Ringe. This mark is 'BC'.
  • Thielemann, Alfred (?-between 1890-1910), from Germany. active jeweller for Fabergé from 1880. Produced small trinkets and jewellery. His work was continued by his Son Karl Rudolph Thielemann. The master mark was 'AT'.
  • Wigström, Henrik (1862-1923) born in Ekenäs, Finland, a Finnish workmaster who 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 cases, 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. His hallmarks: 'H.W.'
  • Wäkevä, Alexander, a Finnish workmaster, Stephan Wäkevä's son. Master mark: 'A.W'.
  • Wäkevä, Constantine, a Finnish workmaster, Stefan Wäkevä's son.
  • Wäkevä, Stephen, a Finnish workmaster from 1856. His and his son's (Alexander Wäkevä) initials can be found on a number of Fabergé silver pieces. This mark is 'A.W'.*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.
  • Johannes Zehngraf (1857-1908) was the chief miniature painter for Fabergé and decorated the Lilies of the Valley Egg.