Both Edward VII and the Prince of Wales (later King George V) kept homing pigeons at Sandringham next to Queen Alexandra’s dove-house. According to contemporary accounts, most of the pigeons were of famous Belgian breeds. This is one of six examples of pigeons and doves, part of the wide range of birds by Fabergé in the Royal Collection. The banded agate realistically emulates the varying grey and white tones of the bird’s feathers. A similar pigeon was completed in Wigström’s workshops in 1911 and is illustrated on a page from the design books of his workshop.

Text adapted from Fabergé in the Royal Collection