Kremlin Tower Clock
Rhodonite, silver, enamel, emeralds, and sapphires; 29 x 14.6 cm
by House of Fabergé, c. 1913
Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio

The House of Fabergé distinguished itself by incorporating Russian hardstones into their designs. These minerals, prized for their ease of carving, predominantly came from the western Ural Mountains region, and Fabergé's skilled artisans utilised a variety of colourful stones in their creations. This clock, an example of their craftsmanship, reveals these materials in a lavish display. Rhodonite, in particular, known for its vivid pink hue, was one of the rarest and most costly stones employed by Fabergé. Designed to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, this clock is modelled after the Taynitskaya Tower of the Kremlin. It exemplifies Fabergé's talent for blending functional utility with intricate ornamentation.