FABERGE, AN EXTREMELY RARE AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT JEWELLED, SILVER AND GOLD MOUNTED LIFE-SIZE AGATE MODEL OF A DORMOUSE, ST PETERSBURG CIRCA 1900 naturalistically modelled and carved in detail to depict a seated dormouse, relieved in honey coloured striated agate, accented with silver whiskers and chewing on threads of straw made from gold, held in its hands, the eyes set with cabochon blue sapphires, scratched inventory number 21714, apparently unsigned. Height 6.5cm (2 5/8 inches). Provenance - Gifted from Emmanual Nobel (1859-1932) to Karl Wilhelm Hagelin (1860-1955). - By descent to his son Wolodja Hagelin (1897-1970), godson of Emmanuel Nobel. - Thence by descent. - Christie's, London, Russian Art, 29 November 2021 (GBP £234,000). - Acquired by the current owners from Christie's. Footnote This Faberge dormouse is almost identical to that bought by Queen Alexandra from Faberge's London branch on 5 November 1912, also with gold straws and cabochon sapphires - see RCIN 40261. Another agate dormouse with a similar inventory number is listed in the ledgers of Faberge London, where it was acquired by the famous banker Ernest Cassel in December 1911 for £33. It was later returned by Lady Brougham and Vaux, who presumably received it as a gift. Its current location is unknown.