Rare Collection of Fabergé Animal Sculptures from Castle Howard Coming to Sotheby’s Auction
Sotheby’s Geneva is set to auction an extraordinary collection of whimsical Fabergé animal sculptures from Castle Howard, the historic estate of the Howard family, located in North Yorkshire, England. Scheduled for May 6, the auction features around 30 rare Fabergé pieces, representing one of the last significant private collections of its kind.
The Howard family, known for their extensive art and furniture collection spanning multiple generations, has housed these exquisite Fabergé animals privately, revealing them only occasionally at special dinner parties. Now, for the first time, these pieces will become available to collectors worldwide.
Highlights of the Fabergé Collection
These beautifully crafted animal carvings reflect Fabergé’s playful style, influenced by miniature carving traditions from Japan, China, and Europe, such as Japanese netsukes, which Carl Fabergé himself collected. The pieces range from the tiny to the substantial, including both familiar animals and more exotic species:
- Rock Crystal Elephant – estimated at £20,000 to £30,000 ($25,180 to $37,770).
- Bloodstone Anteater – an exceptionally rare piece, with an estimate of £45,000 to £65,000 ($56,650 to $81,830).
- White Obsidian Rhinoceros – an extremely rare large-sized carving, expected to fetch £50,000 to £70,000 ($62,950 to $88,130).
- Siberian Ibex carved from a single stone, with negative space between its horns and body, estimated at £45,000 to £65,000 ($56,650 to $81,830).
Other notable works include bird sculptures, such as a nephrite owl, an agate hoopoe with gold feet, and charming woodland creatures, including a hare carved from aventurine quartz and a small smoky quartz vole.
Historical Significance and Craftsmanship
Helen Culver Smith, Sotheby’s global head of Fabergé and Russian art, highlighted the importance of this sale, noting the similarity between the Castle Howard collection and the famous Fabergé animal collection created for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1907, which now resides in the British Royal Collection.
British jeweler Kenneth Snowman once described Fabergé animals as “essays in stone,” acknowledging the extraordinary care taken to select materials with precisely matching colors and textures for each animal.
Auction Proceeds Supporting Restoration
Part of the proceeds from the auction will fund the restoration of Castle Howard’s tapestry drawing room, damaged in a 1940 fire. Nicholas Howard, current custodian of the estate, expressed mixed emotions about the sale: “I’m sad to see this beautiful collection go, but it deserves greater visibility. The funds will help restore the tapestry drawing room, enabling visitors to enjoy this magnificent space again.”
Before the auction, select pieces will be exhibited publicly at Sotheby’s Dubai from April 7–11, Sotheby’s London from April 25–29, and finally at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva in May.