iguet auction house in Geneva announces the sale of a private treasure of Russian Imperial craftsmanship: a desk clock in gold, enamel, silver, and pearls, signed by Fabergé and created in 1907 by master goldsmith Henrik Wigström, the renowned craftsman of the illustrious house.

Beyond its artistic excellence, this piece stands out for its prestigious provenance, having been presented as a gift during the reign of Tsar Nicholas II and subsequently passed down through the descendants of H.M. Queen Astrid of Belgium to the present day. This remarkable historical artefact will be offered at auction for the very first time during a special sale on Thursday, June 19 in Geneva, both in person and live online.

This rectangular desk clock stands out with its gold frame delicately edged with a frieze of heart-shaped motifs (rais-de-cœur) and enhanced by a sumptuous blue guilloché enamel decoration featuring garlands of leaves, alternating with vertical white enamel fluting highlighted in gilding. The white dial, encircled with a pearl-set border, is adorned with black Arabic numerals and finely pierced rose gold hands with elegant scrollwork.

Stamped with the marks H.W. and Fabergé, this piece exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of the Russian Imperial Court, combining technical mastery with timeless elegance. The House of Fabergé, the ultimate symbol of imperial luxury and sophistication, is renowned for its unparalleled standards of quality, precision, and ornamental innovation. Each creation from its workshops was crafted for a highly select elite. Gold pieces such as this clock were typically destined for members of royal or imperial families.

This luxurious gold desk clock comes from H.M. Queen Astrid of the Belgians (1905–1935). She received it from her mother, Princess Ingeborg of Denmark (1878–1958), niece of Empress Maria Feodorovna, born Dagmar of Denmark. It is believed to have been gifted in 1908 on the occasion of the princess’s 30th birthday and was subsequently passed down through generations to the present day. The clock was exhibited during the major “Fabergé” retrospective at the Kunsthalle in Munich in 1986–1987, on loan from H.R.H. Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, daughter of Queen Astrid.

The piece encapsulates the intimate history of Europe’s royal families and the elegance of Russian imperial style.

Bernard Piguet, auctioneer of the sale and founder of Piguet Auction House, states: “It is a incredible privilege to earn the trust of Europe’s greatest aristocratic families, but also a great responsibility to find the right setting so that these prestigious objects may continue their journey with a new owner worthy of their history.”