Sotheby’s has announced it will auction a rare collection of Fabergé animals from Castle Howard, a historic estate in North Yorkshire, England, in May 2025. The collection, comprising approximately 30 pieces, includes some of the last significant groups of Fabergé animals still in private hands. The auction is set to be a major highlight at Sotheby’s Fabergé, Gold Boxes & Vertu auction in Geneva.
The Fabergé animals, known for their exquisite craftsmanship and whimsical charm, are influenced by the miniaturist carving traditions of Japan, China, and Europe. These works, often small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand, were once stored in a leather case at Castle Howard and brought out occasionally to decorate the dining table during large dinner parties. The collection includes a range of figures, such as a tiny vole carved from smoky quartz and a large obsidian rhinoceros, alongside a series of woodland animals and desk accessories.
Helen Culver Smith, Sotheby’s Global Head of Fabergé & Russian Works of Art, says, “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 the 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.”
In addition to showcasing Fabergé’s unmatched artistry, part of the proceeds from the auction will be used to fund the restoration of Castle Howard’s Tapestry Drawing Room, which has remained in a shell-like state since a fire in 1940.
Prior to the auction in Geneva, selected pieces from the collection will be displayed to the public at Sotheby’s Dubai (7-11 April), Sotheby’s London (25-29 April), and at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva in May.
