Julius Rappoport Russian Antique Imperial Nephrite Sterling Silver Rat Sculpture

This exquisite Russian Imperial sculpture features a rat in a top hat with a movable cane crafted out of sterling silver and nephrite. The nephrite is medium to medium light muddy green with black inclusions, several white spots, and good luster. The silver is tarnished and may be polished. Signed I.P for Julius Alexandrovitch Rappoport, a Russian silversmith and one of Fabergé’s rare craftsmen of Jewish origin. Julius Rappoport opened his first own workshop in St. Petersburg at Ekateriniski Canal in 1883, then he moved to Moscow to become a Fabergé workmaster. From 1886 till 1908, he was one of the four main leaders of Fabergé workshops and was the Fabergé’s most important supplier of large silver objects. He is best known for his massive silver casts of naturalistic animal figures and he also executed special commissions for the Imperial Family, the Imperial Cabinet and noble families Yousupov and others. Made in Russia circa 1900s.