Jewelers

Legendary Faberge jeweler Mikhail Perkhin

Table clock in a case decorated with guilloche enamel, pearls and two-tone Faberge gold. Craftsman Mikhail Perkhin. St. Petersburg. 1899-1903
Table clock in a case decorated with guilloche enamel, pearls and two-tone Faberge gold. Craftsman Mikhail Perkhin. St. Petersburg. 1899-1903

Legendary Faberge jeweler Mikhail Perkhin

Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin is a jeweler who went down in Russian history as one of the most famous masters of the Faberge firm. He was born in the territory of the modern Republic of Karelia into a peasant family in 1860. At the age of 17, Mikhail went to study in St. Petersburg to the jeweler Vladimir Finikov. Then he signed up as an apprentice in the craft council and soon, thanks to his perseverance, talent and hard work, became a master of gold.

For 18 years, Mikhail Evlampievich was the chief craftsman in the Faberge jewelry house, and then, with the support of Carl Faberge, he opened his own workshop. It produced expensive gifts and jewelry, carried out engraving and chasing work, created frames for jade and other stones from Siberia. The production was large-scale, and many of Faberge’s works were made in the Perkhin workshop. The jeweler paid sufficient attention to solving technical problems, had an enormous working capacity and enjoyed great prestige among his apprentices.

Perkhin himself was the best worker in his workshop, he not only supervised, but also personally worked at the workbench and loved his craft. But hard work negatively affected the health of the master. Mikhail Evlampievich died in a hospital for the mentally ill in 1903. In Perkhin’s workshop, 28 Easter eggs were created for the imperial house. The jeweler’s products can be seen in the St. Petersburg Faberge Museum and in the Hermitage.

In honor of the legendary jeweler in 2009, the Carl Fabergé Memorial Fund established a badge of honor “150 years to Mikhail Perkhin”. Now they are awarded to the best contemporary jewelers.

Silver-framed clock, finished with Faberge enamel, master Mikhail Perkhin, St. Petersburg, 1898-1903
Silver-framed clock, finished with Faberge enamel, master Mikhail Perkhin, St. Petersburg, 1898-1903
Rococo heliotrope box.
Rococo heliotrope box.
PENDANT Gold, jade, diamonds House of Fabergé, workmaster M. Perkhin
PENDANT Gold, jade, diamonds House of Fabergé, workmaster M. Perkhin
KIWI FIGURINE Gold, agate, rubies House of Fabergé, workmaster M. Perkhin Russia, St. Petersburg, 1899-1903
KIWI FIGURINE Gold, agate, rubies House of Fabergé, workmaster M. Perkhin Russia, St. Petersburg, 1899-1903
Jade stamp storage box, 1896-1903
Jade stamp storage box, 1896-1903
In 1902, Mikhail Perkhin created the egg at the Gatchina Palace
In 1902, Mikhail Perkhin created the egg at the Gatchina Palace
Imperial presentation snuffbox by Faberge Master Mikhail Perkhin, St. Petersburg, circa 1890
Imperial presentation snuffbox by Faberge Master Mikhail Perkhin, St. Petersburg, circa 1890

Gold box with moss agate and diamonds, 1894

Fan-shaped box. Gold, diamonds, roses, enamel, rhinestone; chasing, engraving. 1.2x12 cm.Perkhin, Mikhail. Russia. End of the 19th century
Fan-shaped box. Gold, diamonds, roses, enamel, rhinestone; chasing, engraving. 1.2×12 cm.Perkhin, Mikhail. Russia. End of the 19th century
Egg Imperial1916
Egg Imperial1916
Egg Bonbonniere, Faberge, craftsman Mikhail Perkhin, 1896-1903
Egg Bonbonniere, Faberge, craftsman Mikhail Perkhin, 1896-1903
Easter egg of the imperial court - Widow (Pelican). Date of manufacture 1898. The work of the firm of the court jeweler - Carl Faberge. Master - jeweler - Mikhail Perkhin
Easter egg of the imperial court – Widow (Pelican). Date of manufacture 1898. The work of the firm of the court jeweler – Carl Faberge. Master – jeweler – Mikhail Perkhin
Cockerel
Cockerel
BONBONIERE IN THE FORM OF AN ELEPHANT WITH A TOWER Purple, gold, silver, rose cut diamonds, enamel Firm of K. Faberge, workshop of M. Perkhin Russia, St. Petersburg,
BONBONIERE IN THE FORM OF AN ELEPHANT WITH A TOWER Purple, gold, silver, rose cut diamonds, enamel Firm of K. Faberge, workshop of M. Perkhin Russia, St. Petersburg,
Award sign
Award sign
A pearl-framed miniature portrait of Empress Maria Feodorovna by Johannes Zengraf.
A pearl-framed miniature portrait of Empress Maria Feodorovna by Johannes Zengraf.