Fabergé: the Figurine

Fabergé (by Henrik Wigström)

a Gnome-shaped Lidded Scent Flask

circa 1912

     Stout and bearing a cheeky pout, this pointy-capped creature stands with a glowing confidence. Hands snuggled within either pocket, his pose assures one of his ability to guard and protect his perfumed charge, precious as it is. His eyes, emblazoned with two cabochon gems, burn with a will that is constant and ever-alight; with a gaze that is steady and direct. This gnome knows the importance of his role as well as the dedication with which he wishes to oversee it. He remains resolutely picturesque in stature; he is cheerfully eager to fill the shoes of one who is reliable and credible. He is, all in all, as dependable a caretaker as are the materials which define him - true and trustworthy, his Carnelian heart is as strong as diamond, sapphire and gold combined.

Keen Krampus

by [unknown]

Confectionary Box (with Krampus)

circa 1919 (?)

     A sweetly disconcerting twist slithers its way beneath the leather skin of this boxed bonbonnière. Whether it be a savoury selection of dark chocolates or candied fruits, pairing an irresistible delicacy with the image of a monocled, observant Krampus draws out a cautionary sense of doubt from those whose fingers may have lingered too near its red lid. Devilishly devious, Krampus’ entire being is meant to thrill and terrify naughty mischief-makers and wrong-doers; each December he preys on them, taking the place of Saint Nicholas and ‘gifting’ each and every one with a set of sneaky, character-forming lessons. It is therefore a wise and wonderful measure of design to combine the paradoxical elements of ‘nice’ and ‘naughty’ into one, creating for this object d’art an alluring candour of mischievousness that has the ability to attract even the most obedient of sweet-tooths.

Dior

Victoire de Castellane for Dior

‘La D de Dior’ Granville watch(es)

2016

     Beyond superb! A piquant pastiche of succulent colours, de Castellane’s recent œuvre of timepieces demonstrates a fearless experimentation with the colour wheel. For this particular watch, fifty tangerine-orange garnets (‘spessartites’) bezel a deep bay of diamond-specked lapis lazuli, creating an eye-watering pairing of perfect complementation (emulating something of Autumn’s setting African sun). The golden hands within the bay glide with each second as do water nymphs with currents - supple, slender and silent, though ever-present. Equally bezelled with gems, the crown is encircled by a halo of nearly ten diamond drops. It, too, complements the lapis face with its delicious smattering of winking whites, candidly drawing together the quarterly points with the singular manual point. And possibly the most dashing of details, the watch’s patented pistachio-glossed strap demands its own pride of praise. It lolls out from either end of the face like an enamelled tongue, keen to set its tastes on the wrist of one who embodies all that Dior requires of the contemporary lady.