About Wartski.

Wartski is a family owned firm of art and antique dealers, specialising in fine jewellery, gold boxes and works by Fabergé. The firm was founded in North Wales in 1865 by Morris Wartski, maternal great-grandfather of the present day Chairman. The business thrived under the patronage of King Edward VII and a colourful clientele including the Marquis of Anglesey known as the 'dancing Marquis' with his penchant for emerald set ping-pong shirts, and the nocturnal Mr Blair who questioned the spirits in his walled garden before deciding on a purchase.

The two branches of the firm in Wales were augmented by a third in London, opened by Emanuel Snowman, the son in law of Morris Wartski in 1911. Emanuel was the first to venture to Russia in 1925 to purchase from the industrialising Soviet Union treasures confiscated in the years following the revolution of 1917. His trips continued until the outbreak of World War II during which time many seventeenth and eighteenth century objects including the gold chalice designed by Catherine The Great were acquired together with numerous Fabergé pieces. These included no fewer than eleven of the Imperial Easter Eggs and established our history of dealing in fine works of art. Our late Chairman, the gregarious Kenneth Snowman built upon his father's work. Through his pioneering studies and exhibitions he added an academic dimension to the business. He wore his learning lightly and remained until his sad passing in July 2002 a hospitable figure. His son Nicholas Snowman who succeeds him as Chairman is continuing in his family's footsteps, maintaining the firm's welcoming and scholarly traditions.