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Among the favorite objects of collectors are the animals the Fabergé workshop brought to life as bejeweled miniatures, such as the gold, silver, agate, diamond, and ruby bulldog known as The Balletta Bulldog. Rendered in perfect detail and with an extremely lifelike expression—we could meet this dog on the street and recognize him—the miniature bulldog was created as a luxurious personal gift. Commissioned by Grand Duke Alexi Alexandrovich around 1905 for ballerina and actress Elizabeth Balletta, it depicts her beloved dog, Cody. His bejeweled collar bears his name, as well as his address in Paris, “Av. Bosquet 9.” From flowers to dogs to furniture, Faberge’s workshop carved out a specialty in valuable miniatures around the turn of the 20th century. The survival of these works in museum collections speaks to their enduring popularity with collectors and visitors alike.
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The Balletta Bulldog
Workshop of: Peter Carl Fabergé (Russian, 1846–1920)
Russian (St. Petersburg)
about 1905
Object Place: Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia
Medium/Technique
Gold, silver, agate, diamond, ruby
Dimensions
8.9 x 2.7 x 11.6 cm (3 1/2 x 1 1/16 x 4 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Sidney A. Levine
Accession Number1980.649
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment
Among the favorite objects of collectors are the animals the Fabergé workshop brought to life as bejeweled miniatures, such as the gold, silver, agate, diamond, and ruby bulldog known as The Balletta Bulldog. Rendered in perfect detail and with an extremely lifelike expression—we could meet this dog on the street and recognize him—the miniature bulldog was created as a luxurious personal gift. Commissioned by Grand Duke Alexi Alexandrovich around 1905 for ballerina and actress Elizabeth Balletta, it depicts her beloved dog, Cody. His bejeweled collar bears his name, as well as his address in Paris, “Av. Bosquet 9.” From flowers to dogs to furniture, Faberge’s workshop carved out a specialty in valuable miniatures around the turn of the 20th century. The survival of these works in museum collections speaks to their enduring popularity with collectors and visitors alike.
DescriptionLapidary artists in the Fabergé workshops employed a wide range of semi-precious stones to create exquisitely carved animal sculptures. Their selection, and the manner in which the stones were employed, depended upon the design and in many cases imitated patterns and hues found in nature. Some of the animals, including this bulldog, were actual portraits of living creatures that were prized pets. Both the name and address of the dog represented here (Cody, Av. Bosquet 9) are inscribed on an applied gold plaque secured to the dog's bejeweled collar. This ornament also features a diamond-studded buckle, a polished gold bell in the front, and a ring at the back for a leash. Cody's arresting eyes are cabochon rubies set in gold and his body is made of tan-colored agate. The ears are slightly darker in color and the skin folds, fur, and posture are highly naturalistic.
The sculpture of Cody was a gift to actress Elizabeth Balleta from Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich, son of Alexander II and a high admiral in the Russian Imperial fleet. Ms. Balleta, who performed for many years at the Imperial Theater in St. Petersburg, was a favorite of the Grand Duke who often purchased gifts for her from Fabergé and Cartier. After twenty-five years of acting, she settled in Paris at Avenue Bosquet 9.
Many of Fabergé's carved animals were made in Idar-Oberstein, Germany and at the Imperial Peterhof Lapidary Works in St. Petersburg. After 1908, with the arrival of such lapidary artisans P. Kremlev and P. Derbyshev, the firm produced its own works in hard stones.
The sculpture of Cody was a gift to actress Elizabeth Balleta from Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich, son of Alexander II and a high admiral in the Russian Imperial fleet. Ms. Balleta, who performed for many years at the Imperial Theater in St. Petersburg, was a favorite of the Grand Duke who often purchased gifts for her from Fabergé and Cartier. After twenty-five years of acting, she settled in Paris at Avenue Bosquet 9.
Many of Fabergé's carved animals were made in Idar-Oberstein, Germany and at the Imperial Peterhof Lapidary Works in St. Petersburg. After 1908, with the arrival of such lapidary artisans P. Kremlev and P. Derbyshev, the firm produced its own works in hard stones.
InscriptionsCollar inscribed: "Cody, Av. Bosquet 9."
ProvenanceAbout 1905, commissioned by Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich (b. 1850 - d. 1908) for Elizabeth Balletta, Paris [see note 1]. 1949, with Wartski, London. Sold by Robert Smith, Washington, DC, to Sidney A. Levine, Melrose, MA; June 28, 1979, consigned by Dr. Levine for sale, Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York, lot 405, unsold; 1980, year-end gift of Sidney A. Levine to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 14, 1981)
NOTES:
[1] Modelled after her bulldog, Cody.
NOTES:
[1] Modelled after her bulldog, Cody.