Champagne cooler
This lavish champagne cooler is one of the largest and most spectacular pieces by the Russian court jeweller Fabergé. It was created in 1892 as a golden wedding anniversary gift for Christian IX and Queen Louise from their daughter Empress Dagmar and her husband, Emperor Alexander III of Russia.
The champagne cooler, which is shaped like a traditional Russian drinking bowl, is made of silver-gilt, decorated with Russian and Danish symbols.
Champagne cooler as a golden wedding anniversary gift
The lavish champagne cooler is one of the largest and most spectacular pieces by the Russian court jeweller Fabergé. It was created in 1892 as a golden wedding anniversary gift for Christian IX and Queen Louise from their daughter Empress Dagmar and her husband, Emperor Alexander III of Russia.
The champagne cooler is made of silver-gilt and decorated with Russian and Danish symbols. Combined with clear references to the couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, the design reflects the close ties between the Russian Imperial Couple and their Danish Royal Couple at this time.
Shape and decoration
The shape of the champagne cooler is inspired by the traditional Russian drinking bowl called a kovsh, while the elephant on top refers to the Danish Order of the Elephant.
The front of the champagne cooler is decorated with cast coats of arms for Denmark and Hessen, as Queen Louise was born Princess of Hessen-Kassel. The sides carry the inscriptions 'C IX L' and '26 May 1842/1892' along with ornamentation in Rococo style.