A Fabergé flower, believed to have belonged to European royalty during the Tsarist era, is being examined on the BBC program "Fake or Fortune?" to determine its authenticity and potential value, which could exceed £250,000. The delicate enamel Martagon lily is currently owned by Rachael Randles, a sales associate who inherited it from her step-grandmother, Mary.
The piece is thought to have been passed down to Mary from her friend Helen, Queen Mother of Romania, who was an avid collector of Fabergé creations. Presenters Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould, along with art experts, are undertaking a historical and scientific investigation to authenticate the lily. The object features a deep red enamel bloom and green leaves on a slender gold stem, presented in a rock crystal vase.
Mary had maintained that the flower was a genuine Fabergé, and an initial appraisal from an auction house supported this, valuing it at hundreds of thousands of pounds. However, after Ms. Randles inherited the piece, the same auction house revised its assessment, expressing doubt about its authenticity.
The "Fake or Fortune?" investigation delves into the flower's provenance, with Bruce researching Russian archives and consulting specialists on European royal families. Ms. Randles is also reviewing family documents, including letters and photographs, that suggest a friendship between her grandparents and royal families.
Historical connections have been noted to Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia and even the late Queen Elizabeth II, who sent a letter of condolence to Mary in 1987 following the death of Ms. Randles's grandfather, Austin. The letter, addressed to 'Mrs Austin Smith' in Southport, expressed sympathy for the loss of her husband, noting his 'loyalty and wise counsel'.
Mould consulted with Geoffrey Munn, an expert who previously valued a Fabergé flower at £1 million on "Antiques Roadshow" in 2018. Munn has handled numerous Fabergé pieces throughout his career. The program also features insights from Helen Molesworth, a jewelry historian at the Victoria and Albert Museum, who explains the craftsmanship involved in creating Fabergé flowers.
The House of Fabergé, founded in Saint Petersburg in 1842 by Peter Carl Fabergé, became synonymous with the splendor of Imperial Russia. While most famous for its intricate Easter eggs created for the Tsars, the company also produced highly prized jewelry, picture frames, tableware, and flowers, which were often exchanged as gifts among royalty across Europe.
The process of verifying the authenticity of such items today involves meticulous research and expert analysis, as many imitations have been sold in the past. The results of the investigation into Ms. Randles's Martagon lily will be revealed on "Fake or Fortune?" on BBC One.
