As some of you already know, I have scoured Europe and Russia for decades in search of the most beautiful antique jewelry, classical garden antiques and art masterpieces. I have had the honour to collaborate with some of the world’s master artists and amongst the first researchers allowed access into Russia’s closed archives to write a ground breaking book on the work of Carl Faberge – Jeweler to the Tsars. I have dedicated my entire life to what I call “The Hunt” for all that is beautiful, elegant and timeless. Come along with me on my adventures.
Tsar and Tsarina entertain Lynette at the Marble Palace in Russia.
While researching material for my book “The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs”, I was travelling to Russia every 6 weeks. This routine continued for 6 years, where my co-author, Tatiana Fabergé and I searched through hundreds of dusty boxes filled with documents scattered in various Palaces and Museums. However, we did find several important documents and a Fabergé ledger in the Russian State Historical Archives in St. Petersburg.
Lynette and Tatiana Fabergéresearching inside the Russian State Historical Archives.
Standing in front of the Russian Historical Archives buildings & the bronze statue of Peter the Great with Tatiana Fabergé and Valentin Skurlov.
I particularly liked working in the State Hermitage Museum, and totally enthralled by the furnishings and art. I was thrilled to get to know many of the artists and restorers who worked at the Museum. One of the highlights of my life was being invited into the art restoration studios. There were various masterpieces by Veronese, Raphael, Corot and others waiting for the magic touch of a restorer. I was standing right next to a well-known Raphael and was tempted to put my fingerprint on it, but was afraid that the Palace police would drag me away, put me in jail, and my children would never see me again!
I was really taken aback by the prodigious 18th century skills of the restorers. It was as though I had stepped back in time to the 18th century when the palace furnishings and techniques were at their zenith. I was in seventh heaven, and my clients in the US were fascinated with the gorgeous objects I was making available to them for the first time.
A BIRDCAGE FIT FOR THE TSARINA
Original drawing by leading professor of St. Petersburg art school.
I asked a professor from the leading art school in St. Petersburg to come up with detailed drawings of various sized birdcages. I outlined exactly what I wanted. During these sessions we had to have a lot of patience, as I was the only person who didn’t speak Russian. I would construct a sentence. This would then be translated, and all the Russian work masters there would have a lengthy discussion, and finally it would be translated back into English. This method was repeated about 50 times a night, so our meetings always went on into the wee hours. We all had to have great patience. But, obviously I was getting my thoughts through to everyone, as the first drawing the professor presented was the design I chose. When I returned to Dallas, where I was living at the time, I showed the drawings to a client, and she then took them to her architect, who loved the whole idea. They had the perfect area for it and set the dimensions: 40 inches in height x 60 inches in length by 30 inches in depth. A hand-carved mahogany and giltwood table was created to support the birdcage.
Lynette in St. Petersburgoverseeing the project.
Those of you whom have had the privilege of visiting Russia will remember the glorious patterned flooring in the palaces. Our floor of the birdcage was to be just as exquisite, and made of Palisander wood. In the course below the flooring was a band of nephrite jade panels that encircled the entire birdcage. I brought special lighting from the US with me which was installed under the wood floor and lit up the jade. Each of the 16 marbled columns was entwined with garlands actually made of silver and later finished to look like ormolu. The columns were then capped with ormolu capitals. On the roof were large curved brass triangular panels which were acid etched with exquisite designs leading up to the giltwood Russian style Onion Domes. It took almost two years to complete the birdcage andwas a great success, but even though we had installed a jade bird on a swing there would be no twittering in this golden birdcage.
The birdcage finally arrives at client’s residence in Dallas, Texas.
When in Paris, buy your flowers in an original French flower shop.
I enjoyed visiting "Au nom de la Rose", a wonderful flower shop on Rue Daniel Stern in Paris. There is something effortless and always chic about Parisian style. Next time you are in Paris, you must go!
LYNETTE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
I have chosen these books as they would be wonderful to take on vacation. If not a vacation, then an unhurried read sipping your favourite brew, while catching a little sun. All three books have a common thread – history. Let me know how you enjoyed them.
To order this book click on cover
PINK LADIES AND CRIMSON GENTS
PORTRAITS AND LEGENDS OF 50 ROSES - By Molly and Don Glentzer.
This gorgeously photographed collection of fifty exquisite roses reveals how some of the world’s most storied roses received their names.
Every old-fashioned rose possesses a unique character – shaped like a miter’s cap or delicately hued like the pearl-coloured petticoats of a duchess, scented like honeyed almonds or nodding heavily in the wind, every old-fashioned rose possesses a unique character. And their names – often drawn from history and mythology. Each beautifully researched story is as enchanting and evocative as the flowers themselves. This is a beautifully written book, a treasure that you will find yourself reading for years to come.
To order this book click on cover
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK –By Geraldine Brooks.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
People of the Book is an intricate, ambitious novel that traces the journey of a rare illuminated Hebrew manuscript from convivencia ('coexistence' of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities in Spain during the Middle Ages) to the ruins of Sarajevo, from the Silver Age of Venice to the sunburned rock faces of northern Australia.
Inspired by the true story of a mysterious priceless and beautiful codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah, People of the Book is a sweeping adventure through five centuries of history. From its creation in Muslim-ruled, medieval Spain, the illuminated manuscript makes a series of perilous journeys: through Inquisition-era Venice, fin-de-siecle Vienna, and the Nazi sacking of Sarajevo. In 1996, Hanna Heath, an Australian rare-book expert, is offered the job of a lifetime: analysis and conservation of the famed manuscript, which had been rescued once again from Serb shelling during the recent Bosnian war. Through Hanna’s story the reader is ushered into an exquisitely detailed and atmospheric past, tracing the book’s journey from its creation to its salvation. Brooks is a skilled storyteller who casts a spell of intrigue and evil in which demons feign divinity.
The actual Haggadah came to rest in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, and Geraldine Brooks, who covered the war in Bosnia for The Wall Street Journal, imagines its perilous journey. A great read!
To order this book click on cover
THE FLANDERS PANEL - ByArturo Pērez-Reverte.
A great mystery set in Spain, as an art restorer tries to solve a mystery when she discovers a message hidden in an old oil painting she had been asked to restore. The painting shows Knights playing chess. The mystery revolves around their chess game, pushing her to seek the help of a Chess Master. Like most of Perez-Reverte's works, the atypical detective story includes information you don't normally get in this genre; here, it is a lesson on art, history and chess. The characters are all unique and the setting is a nice change for those of us living in America.
Overall, the threads of the mystery draw tighter and tighter, and the author leaves a few surprises for the reader. Some may find intrigue in the chess aspects or the art aspects...I found myself primarily drawn into the strategizing of the villain and those trying to unmask the villain's identity. The suspense is based on the unfolding strategy, such as in a game of chess. And, I was captured. Check and mate.
Lynette Proler, world renowned expert on Faberge’, gives Molly Glentzer of the Houston Chronicle an exceptional tour of the exhibition. Click here to read the article.
Exhibition ends July 15,2010.
Discover the spectacular designs of Carl Fabergé, a master goldsmith and legendary jeweler who is still celebrated for his inventive design and meticulous craftsmanship. Perhaps best known for the Imperial Easter Eggs created for the Russian Imperial family, the House of Fabergé also fashioned jewelry and luxurious gifts for most of the ruling families of Europe, as well as other wealthy patrons.
This diamond tiara was created by Fabergé c. 1890. The stunning briolette diamonds were a gift from Tsar Alexander I given to the Empress Josephine after she was divorced from Napoleon Bonaparte. This piece is one of only a few tiaras ever made by Fabergé.
Nicholas II Presentation Snuff Box, 1902 -one of my favorite pieces!
The Imperial Russian court was renowned for the lavish gifts presented to foreign dignitaries visiting Russia. Fabergé made hundreds of presentation boxes, but this is purported to be the finest. Made of gold and decorated with guilloché enamel and diamonds, the box features the cipher of Tsar Nicholas II on the cover. This box was presented by the Emperor to Leon Bourgeois, a French politician and statesman in 1902.Carl Fabergé perfected the art and technique of guilloché enameling.
No jewelller since has been able to replicate Fabergé’s standards of guilloché enameling as well as the number of colours, said to be around 140. His enameling techniques were divided into three main groups: opalescent, opaque and translucent. Translucent enameling was frequently used on the Tsars’ Imperial Easter Eggs. The enamel was applied over a metal surface – gold usually for the Imperial Family - but silver, and other metals were utilized. The engraving was etched into the metal using a technique called ‘engine turning’ accomplished by lathe-like machines. The House of Fabergé developed many patterns as can be seen in the above presentation box. On the oval lid Fabergé engraved a sunburst pattern, and the sides are decorated with wavy patterns. As many as 6 different colours of translucent enamel would have to individually be applied and fired at very high temperatures. Each layer was fired separately with the succeeding firing at a slightly lower temperature so as not to melt the previous layer. The end effect was startling. The sparkling flashes of colours brought each object to life.
The Russian Revolution in 1917 was the beginning of the end. In 1918, The House of Fabergé was nationalized by the Bolsheviks, and in early October the stock was confiscated. The House of Fabergé was no more. Carl Fabergé escaped with his life but died shortly thereafter.
THE FABERGE' IMPERIAL EASTER EGGS - By Lynette G. Proler.
Order your own signed copy.
The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs, by Lynette Proler, Tatiana Fabergé and Valentin Skurlov. This book is currently out-of-print and has become a rare collector’s treasure. A limited number of books are available. Dust jacket and hard cover in mint condition. Blue cloth binding with gilt lettering. Each book is protected by Mylar cover. All sales are final. Let us know if you would like your book to be signed by Lynette Proler.
Reviews:
Timed to coincide with the auction (of the Kelch Fabergé Easter Egg at Christies’) is the publication of yet another book on the subject, “The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs”. It is the first to incorporate the new findings on Fabergé from the Russian government archives. This book is a collaboration of Tatiana Fabergé, Lynette G. Proler, a Fabergé dealer, who was also the principal writer, and Valentin V. Skurlov, who did extensive study on Fabergé in the official Russian archives. What has come to light from this book is the stuff of soap operas.
Rita Reif, New York Times, Sunday, March 30, 1997
Altogether, Peter Carl Fabergé and his craftsmen made 50 eggs for the czars from 1885 through 1916 according to “The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs”, which was co-written by Ms. Fabergé, Mr. Fabergé’s great-granddaughter, Tatiana Fabergé, Lynette G. Proler, and Valentin V. Skurlov….But, the Russian Imperial Court documents show eight unaccounted-for eggs. …Nonetheless, Lynette G. Proler, a Fabergé dealer who co-wrote the book, says the authors are hot on the trail of one missing egg. Search the attic.
Tamar Hausman and Alexandra Peers, Wall Street Journal, April, 1997.
TO READ ABOUT ME CLICK BELOW!
The Imperial Russian court was renowned for the lavish gifts presented to foreign dignitaries visiting Russia. Fabergé made hundreds of presentation boxes, but this is purported to be the finest. Made of gold and decorated with guilloché enamel and diamonds, the box features the cipher of Tsar Nicholas II on the cover. This box was presented by the Emperor to Leon Bourgeois, a French politician and statesman in 1902.Carl Fabergé perfected the art and technique of guilloché enameling.
No jewelller since has been able to replicate Fabergé’s standards of guilloché enameling as well as the number of colours, said to be around 140. His enameling techniques were divided into three main groups: opalescent, opaque and translucent. Translucent enameling was frequently used on the Tsars’ Imperial Easter Eggs. The enamel was applied over a metal surface – gold usually for the Imperial Family - but silver, and other metals were utilized. The engraving was etched into the metal using a technique called ‘engine turning’ accomplished by lathe-like machines. The House of Fabergé developed many patterns as can be seen in the above presentation box. On the oval lid Fabergé engraved a sunburst pattern, and the sides are decorated with wavy patterns. As many as 6 different colours of translucent enamel would have individually be applied and fired at very high temperatures. Each layer was fired separately with the succeeding firing at a slightly lower temperature so as not to melt the previous layer. The end effect was startling. The sparkling flashes of colours brought each object to life.
The Russian Revolution in 1917 was the beginning of the end. In 1918, The House of Fabergé was nationalized by the Bolsheviks, and in early October the stock was confiscated. The House of Fabergé was no more.
Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 04:25PM 
