Since Emanuel Snowman's pre war visits to the Soviet Union Wartski have become leading dealers in works by Carl Fabergé, Jeweller to the Tsars. As well as holding a large stock of Fabergé objects, we have published studies and organised a number of exhibitions devoted to his work. Snowman's dealings with The Antiquariat, composed of Kremlin Museum and Hermitage personnel, brought wonderful works of art to Western collectors' attention. On one particular trip he discovered in St. Petersburg an early nineteenth century Imperial Porcelain Factory Vase which he promptly bought for £100. On progressing to Moscow he was amazed to spot its pair and immediately asked the price, to be told £120. By protesting that he had bought the first for less, he threw The Antiquariat into a panic, causing them to retreat into a murmuring huddle. After much debate the impromptu committee returned and replied "Well Mr Snowman, it seems you owe us £20!"

An Imperial enamelled gold miniature chair by Fabergé.

He was not disheartened and accepted this and the many other vicissitudes of Soviet life with good humour. In doing
so he laid the foundations, built on by his son Kenneth, of Wartski's expertise in the field of Fabergé. H. C Bainbridge,
manager of Fabergé's London shop named Wartski 'the home of the art of 'The last of the great Craftsman'

Kenneth Snowman completed the first definitive study of Fabergé's work The Art of Carl Fabergé in 1952, when
access to Russian archives was near impossible. He published further studies and curated a number of Fabergé
exhibitions including the 1977 Victoria and Albert Museum display commemorating the Silver Jubilee of Queen
Elizabeth II. His knowledge of Fabergé was honoured by Ian Fleming, a customer of Wartski, who introduced
James Bond to the late Boss for advice on the purchase of a Fabergé Egg in The Property of a Lady. Wartski
has an extensive Fabergé archive, incorporating original photographs, correspondence from the Fabergé Family,
exhibition and sales catalogues and importantly original design books from Holmström's workshop. Wartski is a
centre for Fabergé research; both Geoffrey Munn and Kieran McCarthy lecture and publish articles on the firm.

Many Fabergé collections including those of the Forbes Family, Lillian Thomas Pratt and Marjorie Merriweather
Post have been formed through Wartski. Others are now being assembled and the pattern of collecting Russian
Works of Art through Wartski continues today.

Wartski deal in all areas of Fabergé's work and have a wide range of pieces from enamelled and gem-set objects
in precious metals and hardstones, to Fabergé silverware and jewellery. They are available to both collectors and
those who simply wish to enjoy Fabergé's work first hand.