Fabergé in the Royal Collection
An introduction to Fabergé in the Royal Collection
Statuette of Persimmon
RCIN 32392
Persimmon was King Edward VII's most successful racehorse. To great acclaim, he won the Derby and St Leger in 1896 and the Ascot Gold Cup in 1897. King George V described the Derby in his diary: 'it was a splendid victory & it was only won by a head, Papa led "Persimmon" in, he got a tremendous ovation, I never saw such a sight…' His father purchased Fabergé's silver sculpture of the horse in November 1908 and a month later bought six bronze copies to be given away as mementoes, perhaps to the trainers who had contributed to the horse's remarkable success. Fabergé also made a frame in the King's racing colours which contained a photograph of Persimmon (RCIN 15168).