Michael D. Kaydouh's Blog

Over the years, numerous collectors have asked me as to the identity of those individuals who were either workmasters at Faberge’s establishment in Moscow or silversmiths that they retailed. The Moscow branch of Faberge was opened in 1887. It would appear from the historical documents available and auction records that most of the silver sold was from independent silversmiths shortly after the opening in 1887 up until the late 1890s and continuing on  occasion up to 1908.

One of the most prominent silversmiths who may have either been a workmaster for Faberge or a silversmith who he contracted with to retail his works was Karl Linke. His pieces were also retailed by Bolin and the firm of Ovchinnikov. I have found evidence that Karl Linke was utilized by the Faberge Moscow firm from at least 1890 up to 1893. His mark is usually stamped over by the Faberge firm’s Moscow mark and, at other times, it is alongside the Moscow mark. His mark is in English which is a prominent KL. His work is of excellent quality and can be favorably compared to pieces by Julius Rappaport.

I first became acquainted with the work of Karl Linke that also had the Faberge Moscow mark when I attended the Sotheby’s Russian Works of Art sale in New York City on December 4, 1980. That was lot #214 which was a tea caddy which had not only the KL mark independent and by itself but alongside the Faberge mark and the hallmarks from Moscow and the date 1890. I next became acquainted with Linke’s work when I visited the premises of Wartski in London and saw a silver ashtray that had previously been in a Christie’s Geneva sale on May 12, 1980, that was lot #219. It was described at that time as a silver ashtray of the regular Rocoko Ornament form with the Faberge Imperial Warrant and the date 1891 Moscow.

I brought it to the attention of Mr. Snowman, who was on the premises at the time, that the Faberge imperial warrant was right over the mark of KL which could be plainly seen and, at that time, Mr. Snowman thanked me as he was unfamiliar of the workmaster KL and was unaware that Faberge had in fact been either retailing his work or utilizing him as a workmaster in the Moscow premises. At that time, Mr. Snowman said that he was surprised that someone so young would be so astute as to discern this on the piece and predicted that someday I would be one of the leading experts on Faberge. I am pleased to say that his prediction came true.

There is also another tea caddy of the same shape but with different decoration on the top from the Josiane Woolf Collection which was sold in Geneva on November 18, 1980, lot #190 with the date 1891. Although, the catalog does not make mention of the KL, it is probably by the same workmaster in as much as it is almost identical to the piece sold at Sotheby’s in New York.

Other references to KL consist of the following:

1.       A tea pot with circular ring feet, dated 1890, sold at Sotheby’s Geneva, lot #393 on May 15, 1986.

2.        In the photographs below, you will see a Faberge tea set which has two dates, 1892 and 1890. The tea pot is dated 1892 and as you can see from the first photograph, the Faberge Moscow mark is almost completely covering the makers mark. It is probably KL but might be another mark. The sugar and the creamer are both dated 1890 and have the KL mark separate and distinct from the Faberge mark, see photographs 1, 2, 3 and 4

3.       The next photograph #5 is that of a match holder with rams heads which have the Faberge mark on the inside and the KL mark on the leg above the silver standard and Moscow mark.

4.        A dealer in the state of Washington had two salts photo 6 in which have champleve enamel, which is unusual for Linke, however there is the Faberge mark which is covering most of the KL mark. That piece is dated 1892.

5.       The next photograph #7 you see is of the marks on a Decanter dated 1891 where the Faberge mark goes over the middle of the KL mark.

6.       In photo #8  you see is of a round sugar bowl with three rings, feet and ring handles which is dated 1890. Again in photo #9 the Faberge mark is alongside the mark of K. Faberge. That sugar bowl is, interestingly enough the mate to the tea caddy referred to in the previously mentioned Sotheby’s sale, lot #393 on May 15, 1986. 

7. Lastly I have attached a photo #10 of another independent silversmith whose mark of AS I have encountered twice. He appears to have had a very limited association with the Faberge firm in Moscow but I have attached it to indicate that he was another silversmith with whom Faberge had a relationship with. If one goes through the 1893 Faberge Sales booklet you will notice many pieces of silver the majority of which are what we would consider beneath the average standard for the Faberge Moscow firm. This indicates that Faberge utilized numerous silversmiths which may not have the Faberge mark stamped on each and every piece. The only way to know for sure would to have the original box with the piece. Sadly in many instances these boxes no longer exist.  

Therefore, I am pleased to inform you that Karl Linke was in fact an important workmaster for Faberge in Moscow and it seems that his relationship ended with Faberge probably around 1893. It seems that following 1983 most of his other work is associated with the firm of Bolin and Ovchinnikov. In any event, pieces by Karl Linke should be highly regarded due to his association with the Faberge firm and the quality of his work.