Anteater
Jasper and diamonds; 3 × 8.7 × 2.1 cm
by House of Fabergé, c. 1900
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

The House of Fabergé began to produce hardstone animals in the 1890s, which proved to be very popular. Some, such as this anteater, were inspired by Japanese netsuke, of which, Carl Fabergé himself was an avid collector. He was sometimes commissioned to make portraits of specific pets, particularly by Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Britain.