Castle Howard releases a rare collection of 30 Fabergé animal figurines to fund the restoration of its historic Tapestry Drawing Room.
In the refined world of decorative arts, few names evoke the same reverence as Fabergé. Known primarily for the imperial Easter eggs created for the Russian royal family, the House of Fabergé’s legacy extends far beyond these celebrated masterpieces.
This May, Sotheby’s will present a remarkable opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs alike as one of Britain’s greatest stately homes unveils a hidden collection of rare Fabergé animal figurines that have remained largely unseen by the public for generations.
A Private Menagerie Emerges
For decades, Castle Howard,the magnificent Yorkshire country house made famous by productions of “Brideshead Revisited” and Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon”,has safeguarded one of the last important private collections of Fabergé animals in existence. The collection of approximately 30 exquisite carvings has been stored in a leather case in the private areas of the estate, emerging only occasionally to decorate the dining table during grand dinner parties.
In just over thirty exquisite works, the Fabergé animals from Castle Howard parallel both those owned by the British Royal Family and members of the Russian Imperial Court. With the latter disassembled by Revolution and the former still held in the Royal Collection, the sale of these hidden treasures marks an exceptional opportunity for collectors worldwide to acquire pieces that fully demonstrate why Fabergé earned a prime position in royal and noble collections throughout Europe,” explains Helen Culver Smith, Sotheby’s Global Head of Fabergé & Russian Works of Art.
The collection draws intriguing comparisons to the famed Sandringham collection commissioned for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1907, which remains part of the Royal Collection. The Howard collection represents a vital and rare opportunity to acquire museum-quality Fabergé works with impeccable provenance.
Craftsmanship Beyond Compare
Described by the late British jeweller Kenneth Snowman as “essays in stone,” Fabergé animals embody the pinnacle of miniaturist carving traditions influenced by Japan, China, and 1. Each piece demonstrates the firm’s unparalleled ability to select precisely the right type of hard stone to capture the essence of each animal.
What makes these carvings so remarkable is not merely their technical excellence but the thoughtful approach to each creation. Typically small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand,similar to the Japanese netsuke that inspired them (and which Carl Fabergé himself collected),these pieces transform semi-precious stones into living creatures through meticulous craftsmanship.
“Fabergé’s master craftsmen elevated what had come before in animal sculpture, adding their characteristic, and renowned, finesse,” notes the auction house.
Exotic Rarities and Woodland Wonders
Among the most extraordinary pieces in the collection is a rare jewelled bloodstone model of an anteater, created in St Petersburg between 1887-1900 (estimate: £45,000-65,000).
While certain animals were frequently produced by Fabergé’s workshops,such as pigs, dogs, and elephants,the anteater ranks among the rarest examples, with only a few known to exist. The dynamic carving showcases the craftsmen’s ability to capture both anatomical accuracy and personality within a small-scale sculpture.
Equally impressive is a large jewelled obsidian model of a rhinoceros from circa 1900 (estimate: £50,000-70,000), which distinguishes itself not only through its commanding size but also through the masterful selection of materials. Most Fabergé animals were executed on a diminutive scale, making this substantial piece exceedingly rare.
The rhinoceros exemplifies the house’s commitment to sourcing the perfect mineral specimens. Rather than using common black obsidian, the craftsmen selected sheen obsidian, an iridescent variation of the volcanic stone. The natural patterning of the material brilliantly mimics the wrinkles and texture of the rhinoceros’s skin, creating a remarkably lifelike appearance despite the stylized form.
Art historians speculate that the inspiration for this piece may have come from Albrecht Dürer‘s infamous woodcut print, “A Rhinoceros,” which has been part of the Royal Collection since approximately 1810.
The collection further includes a jewelled agate model of a Siberian ibex (estimate: £45,000-65,000) from 1900-1914. This piece showcases the craftsmen’s deep understanding of three-dimensional carving, with the negative space between the horns and body requiring exceptional skill to execute from a single piece of stone.
The agate’s natural variations in colour,from red to brown to grey,enhance the realism of the figure, suggesting the natural patterning of the animal’s coat.
Avian Artistry and Woodland Creatures
Bird studies feature prominently in the collection, with a gold-mounted owl figure (estimate: £40,000-60,000) standing out for its exceptional craftsmanship. The figure shares similarities with exotic bird studies in the Royal Collection, with the expertly chosen stone replicating the natural colour gradations of an owl’s plumage. The fine carving details every individual barb and feather with remarkable precision.
The collection also includes a second owl study in nephrite and a rare agate model of a hoopoe, complete with gold feet.
Woodland creatures are represented by an exquisite jewelled agate model of a hare (estimate: £40,000-60,000), thoughtfully carved from adventurine quartz. The surface has been meticulously worked to convey the texture of soft fur and the musculature of the agile animal, complemented by delicately fitted diamond eyes.
The menagerie extends to smaller mammals, including a topaz model of a rat and a miniature smoky quartz model of a vole (both estimated at £20,000-30,000). Despite their diminutive size, these pieces showcase remarkable attention to detail, with expertly carved tails and ears. The luminescent quality of the chosen stones enhances their lifelike presence.
Perhaps the most visually striking piece is a commanding model of an elephant in rock crystal (estimate: £20,000-30,000). One of the largest animals in the Howard collection, it “sits like a veritable crystal ball, showcasing a beautiful, reflective sample of rock crystal,” according to Sotheby’s description.
Historic Legacy
Castle Howard represents one of Britain’s most significant collecting dynasties, with family members serving as leading patrons and collectors across generations. The tradition began with the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, whose ambitious vision led to the creation of the magnificent Yorkshire estate. Later, the 9th Earl,himself an artist,assembled a celebrated collection of 15th and 16th-century paintings, many of which were gifted to the National Gallery in London upon his death.
Nicholas Howard, whose family has resided at Castle Howard for more than three centuries, commented on the decision to part with these treasures: “I’m sad to be losing this beautiful collection, but it deserves to be seen more often than it currently is. And the proceeds of the sale will assist us in the re-creation of the Tapestry Drawing Room which will be seen by everyone who comes through the house.”
Restoration of Heritage
The auction serves a purpose beyond bringing these remarkable objects to market. A portion of the proceeds will fund the restoration of the Tapestry Drawing Room at Castle Howard. This significant space suffered devastating damage during a 1940 fire and has remained a shell ever since.
As part of a major renovation of the estate’s historic 1, visitors will be able to view the fully restored and decorated space from April 2025, with the original tapestries returned to their positions. This restoration project represents an important enhancement to the public collections at Castle Howard, ensuring that future generations can experience the property’s historical grandeur.
Exhibition and Auction Details
Prior to the auction in May 2025, which will serve as a major highlight of Sotheby’s Fabergé, Gold Boxes & Vertu sale in Geneva, highlights from the collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s Dubai (7-11 April), Sotheby’s London (25-29 April), and the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva in May.
This strategic international tour recognizes the global interest in exceptional Fabergé works and provides collectors from various regions the opportunity to examine these rare pieces before they change hands.
The Enduring Appeal of Fabergé
What makes these Fabergé animals particularly compelling to collectors is their ability to transcend mere decorative objects. Each piece represents a harmonious blend of artistic vision, technical virtuosity, and material sensitivity.
Unlike mass-produced luxury goods, these carvings embody the true essence of exclusivity,created by master craftsmen for the most discerning clients of their era, with each piece unique in its expression and character. The thoughtful selection of specific minerals for each animal demonstrates a profound understanding of both the material properties of various stones and the essential characteristics of the creatures they represent.
For contemporary collectors navigating a luxury market often dominated by branded products, these Fabergé animals offer something increasingly rare: genuine artisanal craftsmanship with historical significance and unimpeachable provenance.
A Market Moment
The timing of this auction coincides with renewed international interest in exceptional decorative arts with royal and noble provenance. As museums and private collectors increasingly seek objects that combine artistic merit with historical significance, the Castle Howard Fabergé collection represents a rare convergence of these qualities.
For serious collectors, the sale presents an opportunity to acquire pieces that would otherwise remain inaccessible in institutional collections. The parallels between this group and the Sandringham collection in the Royal Collection emphasize the museum-quality nature of these objects.
As the art market continues to seek stability through investment in objects of enduring cultural significance, this collection embodies the qualities that define truly exceptional decorative arts: rarity, craftsmanship, provenance, and cultural importance.
The Legacy Continues
While these treasures will soon leave their centuries-old home, their emergence into the public sphere ensures they will continue to inspire appreciation for the extraordinary standards of craftsmanship that defined the House of Fabergé. Simultaneously, their sale will enable Castle Howard to enhance its public offerings through the restoration of the Tapestry Drawing Room.
This balanced approach to heritage management,allowing private collections to evolve while strengthening public-facing museum spaces,represents a thoughtful stewardship of cultural patrimony that has characterized Britain’s greatest country houses for generations.
For those fortunate enough to acquire these pieces, they will join a lineage of discerning collectors that includes European royalty and aristocracy, becoming the next custodians of objects that epitomize the pinnacle of decorative arts achievement.
As Helen Culver Smith eloquently summarizes, these works “fully demonstrate why Fabergé earned a prime position in royal and noble collections throughout Europe.” Their auction this May will write the next chapter in their remarkable history.
*Images: Sotheby’s
