Auctions

Stream Family Fabergé Highlights Christie’s Luxury Auctions

Treasures from the vanished Russian aristocracy are up for auction this week, along with sparklers from some of the biggest names in 20th-century high society

By Rena Gross

June 8, 2026

Faberge jeweled cactus sculpture with pink flowers in a red marble-patterned pot on a white background. — Fabergé cactus. Photo: Courtesy Christie’s

Fabergé has already popped up around summer auction week options in New York, and now Christie’s is adding some extraordinary options to the mix with the Stream Family Collection, which includes five awe-inspiring Fabergé jeweled floral sculptures, and other items linked to the Russian Imperial court. The sculptures, executed in precious and semi-precious materials such as nephrite, rock crystal, gold, emanel, and diamonds, include one of only two known examples of a Fabergé cactus, with delicate gold needles.

Blue enamel and gold metal flower sculpture by Fabergé in a clear glass vase with gold leaves and buds, up for auction at Christie's — Fabergé. Photo: Courtesy Christie’s

Faberge floral sculpture with delicate raspberry branch, featuring green leaves and pink berries, set against a white background. — Fabergé. Photo: Courtesy Christie’s

There’s also a tiny silver rhinoceros automaton that is still in working order. Craftsmanship like this is astonishing, but there is something special behind the glass cases at Christie’s this week that no amount of currency can purchase: provenance. On a deeper level, provenance is the understanding that history is real, that people lived it, that the objects we leave behind have stories to tell, and that it matters.

Gold trophy cup from the Russian imperial family with engraved text on a matching ornate base, featuring intricate floral patterns and a finial on the lid. — Romanov gold urn. Photo: Courtesy Christie’s

The lifespan of Fabergé’s incredible workshop was sadly cut short by the Russian Revolution, increasing its rarity on the market. Further Fabergé selections in “A Treasured History: The Stream Family Collection” include some exquisite small boxes and clocks featuring guilloché enamel, in which the enamel is baked onto minutely patterned metal sheets to form subtle patterns often resembling faint drapery festoons. Matilda Geddings Gray, who assembled the collection, also owned several Fabergé eggs, which are now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Sapphire and diamond jewelry set from the collection of Joanna Carson with two earrings and a ring displayed against a light beige background. — From the Joanna Carson Collection. Photo: Courtesy Christie’s

Diamond and pearl brooch with round-cut diamond centerpiece and two pearls on either side against a white background. — From the collection of Lorinda Payson de Roulet. Photo: Courtesy Christie’s

Stream is not the only marquee name in ornament at Christie’s Luxury Week. The Magnificent Jewels auction on June 9 will contain jewelry from collections linked to names like Roosevelt and Whitney. The collection of Joanna Carson, the third wife of late-night legend Johnny Carson, has generated particular interest. It includes a beautiful ruby and diamond David Webb necklace previously owned by film star Merle Oberon.

Two ornate gold and blue enamel panther David Webb bracelets with emerald and diamond details on a light background. — David Webb. Photo: Courtesy Christie’s

Other points of interest: Irene Roosevelt Aitken’s extensive David Webb holdings, dozens of works by Cartier (many from the Stream Collection), and the Azure blue, which is the largest fancy blue diamond ever sold at auction.