FABERGE, AN IMPORTANT IMPERIAL BOWENITE MODEL OF A MYSTIC APE / MONKEY, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1900 humoristically modelled as a monkey covering its mouth, ears and eyes to represent the adage 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil', in the Japanese taste, after an ivory netsuke by the master Kaigyokusai Masatsugu, apparently unsigned. Height 3.0cm (1 1/4 inches) Provenance - The property of The Russian Imperial Family. - With Popoff, Paris. - With Wartski by 1936. - Private UK Collection. - Acquired by the present owner (2021) Literature - A. von Solodkoff, Faberge Juwelier des Zarenhofes, 1995, p. 22 (illustrated). - Exhibition catalogue, Wilmington,Fabergé: Imperial Craftsmen and his World, 2000, p. 305 (illustrated). - Exhibition catalogue, Wartski, Japonisme: From Falize to Fabergé, 2011, p. 109 (listed), p. 97 (illustrated). Exhibited - Wilmington, Riverfront Arts Centre, Fabergé, Imperial Craftsman and his World, 14 August 2000 - 28 February 2001, no. 805. - London, Wartski, Japonisme: From Falize to Fabergé, 10 - 20 May 2011, no. 218. Catalogue Note: Five of these mystic apes are known to exist, three of which are found in the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the Kenneth and Sallie Snowman Collection. Bowenite - the model above being offered Amazonite, Obsidian, White Chalcedony - Victoria and Albert Museum, the Jewellery Room Nephrite - last seen in the collection of A la Vielle Russie The example offered here is featured in archival photographs of Wartski from the early 20th Century, described as 'light Jade'.