AuctionsJan 16, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Line Bracelet Going up for Auction AuctionsFeb 18, 2025
A Menagerie of Fabergé Coming to Sotheby’s
Around 30 whimsical Fabergé animal carvings will go up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
A selection of carved Fabergé animals from Castle Howard will appear in Sotheby’s “Fabergé, Gold Boxes, & Vertu” auction in Geneva on May 6, with part of the proceeds going to benefit the restoration of the estate’s tapestry drawing room, which was damaged in a 1940 fire.
London—On May 6, Sotheby’s will auction off a collection of Fabergé animals from Castle Howard, the 300-year-old home to the Howard family, a British dynasty whose members have been collectors of art and furnishing for generations.
The estate, a country house in the hills of North Yorkshire, features antiquities, paintings, furniture, and works of art, including one of the last important groups of Fabergé animals in private hands, Sotheby’s said.
The animals were crafted with Fabergé’s whimsical charm, influenced by the miniaturist carving traditions of Japan, China, and Europe—such as Japanese netsukes, of which Carl Fabergé had his own collection—and generally small enough to fit in one’s hand.
Until now, they were stored in a leather case in the private reaches of the estate, brought out only once or twice a year to adorn the dining table for a large dinner party.
The collection also has parallels to the “Sandringham” collection of Fabergé animals commissioned for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1907 and now held in the Royal Collection, according to the auction house.
“In just over 30 exquisite works, the Fabergé animals from Castle Howard parallel both those owned by the British Royal Family and members of the Russian Imperial Court,” said Helen Culver Smith, Sotheby’s global head of Fabergé and Russian works of art.
“With the latter disassembled by [the Russian] Revolution and the former still held in the Royal Collection, the sale of these hidden treasures marks an exceptional opportunity for collectors worldwide to acquire pieces that fully demonstrate why Fabergé earned a prime position in royal and noble collections throughout Europe.”
Fabergé’s production of hardstone animals included pigs, dogs, frogs, ducks, and elephants in a range of poses and colors.
The pieces on offer at Sotheby’s Geneva in May range in scale from a tiny vole carved of smoky quartz to a large obsidian rhinoceros.
An elephant carved in rock crystal is estimated to fetch £20,000 to £30,000 (approximately $25,180 to $37,770).
The estate, a country house in the hills of North Yorkshire, features antiquities, paintings, furniture, and works of art, including one of the last important groups of Fabergé animals in private hands, Sotheby’s said.
The animals were crafted with Fabergé’s whimsical charm, influenced by the miniaturist carving traditions of Japan, China, and Europe—such as Japanese netsukes, of which Carl Fabergé had his own collection—and generally small enough to fit in one’s hand.
Until now, they were stored in a leather case in the private reaches of the estate, brought out only once or twice a year to adorn the dining table for a large dinner party.
The collection also has parallels to the “Sandringham” collection of Fabergé animals commissioned for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1907 and now held in the Royal Collection, according to the auction house.
“In just over 30 exquisite works, the Fabergé animals from Castle Howard parallel both those owned by the British Royal Family and members of the Russian Imperial Court,” said Helen Culver Smith, Sotheby’s global head of Fabergé and Russian works of art.
“With the latter disassembled by [the Russian] Revolution and the former still held in the Royal Collection, the sale of these hidden treasures marks an exceptional opportunity for collectors worldwide to acquire pieces that fully demonstrate why Fabergé earned a prime position in royal and noble collections throughout Europe.”
Fabergé’s production of hardstone animals included pigs, dogs, frogs, ducks, and elephants in a range of poses and colors.
The pieces on offer at Sotheby’s Geneva in May range in scale from a tiny vole carved of smoky quartz to a large obsidian rhinoceros.
An elephant carved in rock crystal is estimated to fetch £20,000 to £30,000 (approximately $25,180 to $37,770).
This rock crystal elephant is one of the largest animals in the Howard collection.
A rare Fabergé jeweled bloodstone model of an anteater, made in St. Petersburg, Russia, between 1887 and 1900
More exotic animals appeared less frequently.
An anteater carved in bloodstone ranks among the rarest, said the auction house, with only a few known examples of the animal in existence.
It is estimated to sell for £45,000 to £65,000 (approximately $56,650 to $81,830).
British jeweler Kenneth Snowman has described Fabergé’s animals as “essays in stone,” as the brand took great care in sourcing material with the right colors and markings for each creature.
A rhinoceros that is part of the auction is made in white obsidian, an iridescent variation of the typically dark volcanic mineral, with natural effects that mimic the wrinkles in the animal’s skin.
This obsidian rhinoceros, St. Petersburg, circa 1900, was potentially inspired by Albrecht Dürer’s inaccurate print, “A Rhinoceros,” of which there has been a woodcut print in the Royal Collection since circa 1810, according to the auction house.
The auction house said it is an “exceptionally rare” example of a large Fabergé carved animal figure.
It is estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000 (approximately $62,950 to $88,130).
Fabergé also utilized a range of agates, often found in the Ural Mountains of Russia with red, brown, or gray hues, that suggested natural variations in fur, feathers, or hide.
A Fabergé jeweled agate model of a Siberian ibex (right), St. Petersburg, circa 1900-1914
A Siberian ibex on offer is formed of one piece of single stone, the negative space between the horns and the body a testament to Fabergé’s understanding for carving in three dimensions, according to Sotheby’s.
It’s estimated to fetch £45,000 to £65,000 (approximately $56,650 to $81,830).
The Howard collection also features a selection of birds, including a gold-mounted owl figure, an owl study in nephrite, and a rare agate model of a hoopoe with gold feet.
A gold-mounted owl-figure (est. £40,000 to £60,000, or approximately $50,360 to $75,540)
A jeweled agate model of a hare with diamond eyes (est. £40,000 to £60,000, or approximately $50,360 to $75,540)
A miniature smoky quartz model of a vole (right) and a topaz model of a rat (left), both estimated to sell for £20,000 to £30,000, or approximately $25,180 to $37,770
Charming woodland creatures are also on offer, featuring a hare carved from aventurine quartz, a topaz model of a rat, and a small smoky quartz vole.
The Howard collection, which also includes Fabergé and European desk accessories, will be offered as part of Sotheby’s “Fabergé, Gold Boxes, & Vertu” auction in Geneva in May.
Part of the proceeds from the sale will go toward the restoration of the tapestry drawing room in Castle Howard, which sustained damage in a fire in 1940.
Castle Howard was built for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, designed by his friend, architect and dramatist John Vanbrugh, in 1699.
“I’m sad to be losing this beautiful collection, but it deserves to be seen more often than it currently is. And the proceeds of the sale will assist us in the re-creation of the tapestry drawing room, which will be seen by everyone who comes through the house,” said Nicholas Howard, who runs the estate today with his wife, Victoria.
The reopening of the space is set for April and will feature a return of the tapestries that originally hung in the room.
Prior to the “Fabergé, Gold Boxes, & Vertu” auction on May 6, highlights will be exhibited to the public at Sotheby’s Dubai from April 7 to 11, at Sotheby’s London from April 25 to 29, and at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva in May.
For more information on the collection, visit the Sotheby’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
