Flower Study of a Pansy
c. 1885–1915
Medium
gold, jade, enamel, rock crystal
Dimensions
11.8 × 4.8 cm
Classification
Miscellaneous
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
The India Early Minshall Collection
Accession Number
1966.438
Tags
About this artwork
This flower study depicts a pansy in bloom. 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. Small and delicate, Fabergé’s flower studies were given as intimate gifts to friends by the tsarina and others in the court. She also liked to take them around to wherever the imperial family was residing as a reminder of ...