A Fine Baroque Pearl, cast Silver, Enamel and Gem Set Fantasy Figure of Alexander (1800 to 1900 France, Paris)

Baroque pearls, silver, enamel, rubies and emeralds

Hallmark (indistinct) for Frederic Rudolfi, born. Denmark - worked in Paris, France

11.00cm wide    12.00cm high    8.00cm deep (4.33 inches wide  4.72 inches high  3.15 inches deep)

Attributed to Frederic Rudolfi, born in Denmark, worked in Paris, France
Two examples of his work can be found in the Lourve Musuem, Paris

Alexander's silver shield is set with rubies and is decorated with a detailed battle scene, his axe is separately made and can be removed from the back of his baroque pearl body. His head formed of another baroque pearl is crowned by an enamel helmet. At his feet lies a symbolic broken and enamelled sword, the tree stump upon which he kneels is set with three more baroque pearls and precious stones decorate the silver base.
Fantasy figures and miniature grotesques fashioned of baroque pearls were highly prized by Augustus the Strong who had a cabinet especially made in the Great Valuables Room in Dresden to house his collection. He had figures of beggars, soldiers, harlequins, topers and cooks all made using the sought after irregularly shaped pearls.
There can be no doubt that these curious and amusing figures contained in the Dresden 'Grünes Gewölbe' had a direct influence on the early porcelain figurines produced by Meissen, and possibly had a profound influence 150 years later on Peter Carl Fabergé whose family lived in Dresden.

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A Fine Baroque Pearl, cast Silver, Enamel and Gem Set Fantasy Figure of Alexander
The Great, Attributed to Frederic Rudolfi, Paris, France
Baroque pearls, silver, enamel, rubies and emeralds
Early 19th Century

Size : 12 cm high, 11 cm wide, 8 cm deep – 4¾ ins high, 4¼ ins wide, 3¼ ins deep