Fabulous Faberge

A FABERGE GUILLOCHE ENAMEL AND SILVER DESK CLOCK workmaster Henrik Wigstrom, St. Petersburg 1908-1917. The circular form with steel-blue translucent enamel over a wavy sunburst guilloche ground with beaded rim. The white enamel dial with black Arabic chapters, gold ''Louis XV'' style hands and signed FABERGE. The outer silver rim with egg and dart border. Verso with ivory backing and silver strut. Hallmarked St. Petersburg 1908-1917, workmaster's initials ''H.W.'', 88 standard, scratched inventory 25185, and FABERGE in Cyrillic. Diameter 3.25 inches (8.3 cm). Estimate $50,000-$75,000.

A FABERGE GUILLOCHE ENAMEL AND SILVER-GILT CIGARETTE CASE with gold mounts, workmaster Feodor Afanassiev, St. Petersburg 1908-1917. The surface enameled in translucent pink and white over a waved guilloche ground, divided by chased gold palmette bands, with gold mounted cabochon sapphire thumbpiece. Hallmarked St. Petersburg 1908-1917, 88 standard, stamped with the workmasters initials of Feodor Afanassiev, and Faberge in Cyrillic. Height 3.5 inches (8.8 cm). Estimate $15,000-$20,000.

A 3rd ARTEL GUILLOCHE ENAMELED GOLD-MOUNTED SILVER CIGARETTE CASE St. Petersburg, 1908-1917. The surface overall enameled in translucent Royal blue over a swag guilloche ground with silver banding. The gold thumbpiece set with rose cut diamond. The gilded interior hallmarked St. Petersburg 1908-1917, maker's mark of the 3rd Artel and 88 standard. Length 3.5 inches (9 cm). Estimate $7,500-$10,000.

A FABERGE GUILLOCHE ENAMELED SILVER-GILT CASE St. Petersburg, August Hollming, 1908-1917. The rectangular case enameled in translucent lilac over a moire guilloche ground, each end applied with gold leaf banding and thumbpiece set with rose cut diamonds. The gilded interior hallmarked St. Petersburg 1908-1917, 88 standard, workmaster's initials of August Hollming, FABERGE in Cyrillic and scratched inventory number 19247. Length 2.75 inches (7 cm). Estimate $12,000-$18,000.

These beautiful gems are offered at auction, so if you're feeling a bit flush, you might want to bid. The Faberge name is still an enduring draw for collectors of fine objets d'arts.

If you are a smoker I expect you would be reluctant to use the cigarette cases, lest in a moment of forgetfulness you left one on a table in a public area. In the days when I did smoke, I avoided the habit of many by making sure my gold Dunhill lighter went straight back into my pocket after use, and I still have it somewhere amongst my redundant smoker's requisites.

That was after losing at least one in the manner described. But obviously Faberge is a little less easy to replace.