Silver-Gilt and Enamel Rectangular Desk Clock by

Fabergé

workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1908-1914 struck with workmaster’s initials and Fabergé in Latin, London import marks for 1914, silver mark of 88 zolotniks, scratched with Fabergé inventory no. 2446 height: 8 cm

Provenance: Purchased by Mrs. W.B. Leeds (1873-1923) from Fabergé’s London branch in December 1915 for £22.

Literature:

G. von Habsburg (ed.), Fabergé in America, San Francisco, 1996, listed p. 348

Giovanni Boldini (1842-1931)

Princess Anastasia of Greece (Mrs Leeds), Private collection

Rectangular desk clock with blue guilloché enamel and a silver beaded border; the bezel with a silvergilt beaded rim; the white enamel dial inscribed with black Arabic chapters and gold openwork hands.

The clock was originally purchased by Nancy Leeds, a wealthy American heiress eventually known as Princess Anastasia of Greece and Denmark (1878 – 1923). Mrs. Leeds was one of Fabergé’s most prolific customers in London. Her collection included clocks, cigarette cases, animal carvings, flower studies and frames.

Mrs Leeds first married George Worthington and then William Bateman Leeds (1861-1908), known as the ‘tinplate king’ and owner of ‘Rough Point’ the former Vanderbilt mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Celebrated for her extravagance, she resided at 41 Grosvenor Square when in London and entertained royalty with the aid of Lady Paget who acted as social sponsor. In 1920 she married Prince Christopher of Greece (1888-1940). The following year her son, William B. Leeds, Jr., married Princess Ksenia of Russia, daughter of Grand Duke Georgi Aleksandrovich.