Tiny but priceless, the Jewelled Sapphire Model of a Mouse by Fabergé has captivated collectors worldwide. Standing just 1.25 inches tall, this miniature masterpiece sold at Sotheby’s New York for a staggering $355,600 — nearly five times its high estimate of $70,000.
Carved from icy-blue sapphire, the mouse was part of the “Swinging on a Star: The Collection of Bing & Kathryn Crosby” and dates back to around 1900 in St. Petersburg. Prior to the auction, it was held by A La Vieille Russie in New York, adding historical weight and provenance to the piece.

The extraordinary sale price reflects more than rarity or auction excitement. It’s a combination of Fabergé-level craftsmanship, mastery of a notoriously difficult material, and collectors’ desire to own a true artistic gem.
Every detail of the mouse demonstrates meticulous skill: the slope of its back, the tension in its crouch, the positioning of its paws and toes — all contribute to a lifelike impression. Even the individual toes are carefully carved, a remarkable feat at such a small scale.
Sapphire, one of the hardest varieties of corundum, is ideal for jewelry but extremely challenging for sculpture. Achieving the mouse’s rounded form without chipping required incredible precision and patience.
The miniature’s icy translucence and glow come from expert polishing, while diamond accents on the ears, curled tail, and eyes bring the figure to life. Though the piece is apparently unmarked, experts note that provenance, materials, and carving quality are far more important. Connections to A La Vieille Russie and the Crosby collection documentation confirm the mouse’s authenticity.
Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
23:01, October 22
Dior at $800, Maison Francis Kurkdjian at $1,200: The Most Luxurious Advent Calendars of 202622:18, October 22
Outrage Over Inaccessible Luxury: Why Dior and Hermès Boutiques Were Looted in France21:33, October 22
Luxury Yachts, Secret Palaces and Private Hunting Grounds: How the World’s Most Brutal Dictators Spent Their Holidays20:26, October 22
Sharon Stone, 68, Recreates Iconic Basic Instinct Scene 34 Years Later19:39, October 22
Bugatti Restores One-of-a-Kind $5 Million Veyron With a Polished Aluminum Body19:17, October 22
Dolce&Gabbana and Mytheresa Unveil Luxurious Christmas 2026 Collection16:27, October 22
Is the Birkin Era Coming to an End? Hermès’ Iconic Bag Is Losing Its Appeal as Resale Prices Plunge15:40, October 22
“He Is Becoming More Dangerous”: Psychologist Says Trump Displays Signs of Psychopathy15:18, October 22
Queen Camilla Distrusted Meghan Markle From the Start and Believed She Had “Zombified” Prince Harry14:32, October 22
“Money Will Become Irrelevant”: Elon Musk Predicts a Currency-Free Future and Reveals What Will Happen to His Billions14:09, October 22
Mark Zuckerberg Threatens to Leave California and Sell His $110 Million Mansion Over Proposed Billionaires’ Tax13:19, October 22
Kylie Jenner’s $50 Million Fantasy Bra Set for Private Sale: Who Could Own the Most Expensive Victoria’s Secret Showpiece?