Flower Study of a Miniature Lily of the Valley
c. 1885–1915
Medium
pearls, jade, rock crystal, gold, diamonds
Dimensions
5.1 × 2.3 cm
Classification
Miscellaneous
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The India Early Minshall Collection
Accession Number
1966.445
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
About this artwork
A small, carved rock crystal vase holds this lily of the valley study. The pearls, forming the flower’s buds, are drilled and attached to the remarkably slim gold stem. The hand-cut nephrite (jade) leaves enhance the naturalistic aura of the flower. Fabergé’s inspiration for his flower studies is said to have come from the floral brooches of precious stones that were made in the 1700s for Catherine the Great as well as from the Japanese art of flower arranging, known as ikebana.