This tea caddy was made by the celebrated Russian workmaster Feodor Rückert, who specialised in the production of cloisonné enamels for the firm of Fabergé.
The design features a stylised bird surrounded by stylised blossoms and foliage, blending Byzantine ornament with decorative elements typical of the Pan-Slavic Revival. This revival was brought about by Russian craftsmen from the mid-19th to the beginning of the 21st century, who turned to Russia’s rich medieval ornament for inspiration. The caddy characterises Feodor Rückert’s later work, as he incorporates a geometric and almost abstract ornament inspired by the Wiener Werkstätte and Art Nouveau. Fabergé’s later technical innovation of translucent enamels against a foil backdrop are visible in the orange and rust red areas.
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