Antique Fabergé Dendritic Agate Diamond Gold and Silver Heart Brooch, Workmaster Feodor Afanassiev, Circa 1915

A Fabergé dendritic agate and diamond heart shape brooch, with a heart shape dendritic agate, with inclusions suggesting trees, in a rub over setting, with a surround of rose-cut diamonds, in silver settings and a diamond set Cupid's arrow, in sliver-upon gold, with a pierced gallery, mounted in 14ct gold. Russian, with КФ mark, for Fabergé, 56 and for Workmaster Feodor Afanassiev, circa 1915.

Feodor Afanassiev born 1870, was active from 1913 to 1917. His Workmaster mark was ФА . Between 1883 and 1888 he was a journeyman with the Finnish master Enock Sistonen, thereafter he worked for the jeweller Bock. While employed by Bock, he worked on his master's degree, was granted his rights and certificate in 1907 and was allowed to use a master's mark. The use of this mark was strictly enforced by assay laws in Imperial Russia.