Fabergé eggs are a piece of art that is a testament to love, royalty, betrayal and tragedy. Designed by Peter Carl Fabergé, these eggs stand as the most exquisite examples of Russian royal jewelry Fabergé craftsmanship. It portrays fine craftsmanship, with intricate designs, hidden surprises and continues to captivate people since 1885.
For Love, With Love
Once upon a time, there lived a king, Tsar Alexander III of Russia. He was deeply devoted to his beloved wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. To surprise her, he commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé to make a special Easter gift for her. This was to be crafted with love, elegance, and a touch of mystery. Faberge created an Easter egg with an enamel shell that opened to reveal a golden yolk, a hen, and a miniature royal crown. This was called the Hen Egg and marked the beginning of a tradition. From 1885, Peter Faberge kept creating an egg every year till 1917.
The Final Masterpieces
Russia was dragged into World War I that broke out in 1914. The Tsar Nicholas II went on to take charge of the armed forces along with his son. This is when Fabergé crafted his last egg, the steel military egg, for the Tsarina, Alexandra. It came with a miniature painting of the Tsar and his son taking charge of the army.
However, neither the Tsar nor Russia was ever prepared for this war. Everything fell apart. The family of the Tsar was granted exile to England, which they had to delay since the children were ill. Lenin, leading the Bolshevik forces, took advantage of the situation and managed to capture the family. They were promised to be deported to Siberia, instead they were executed. They didn’t want the white army to overpower the red army. Their possession was seized by the Soviet.
Although Faberge managed to escape, the eggs could not. Lenin and Stalin, authorized to sell most of Russia’s greatest art, including the Fabergé eggs, to fund the revolution. As a result, the eggs indirectly made their way to America and Western Europe.
Resurrection of Fabergé Eggs
Malcolm Forbes from the Forbes magazine recognised the true value of the Fabergé eggs. He collected around nine Imperial Fabergé eggs which made their way back to St Petersburg, bought by Viktor Vekselberg. Over time, these rare eggs became highly sought after in the world of Fabergé egg collectors and auctions. Billionaires, museums, and royalty competed to acquire them. Some of the most notable sales include:
- The Winter Egg (1913): Sold for $9.6 million at Christie’s in 2002.
- The Rothschild Egg (1902): Fetched $18.5 million at a London auction in 2007.
- The Third Imperial Egg (1887): Thought lost for decades, this egg resurfaced in 2014 when a scrap metal dealer unknowingly owned it.
The Legacy of Fabergé
Though the original House of Fabergé no longer exists, the name still carries prestige. Modern jewelers, inspired by Peter Carl Fabergé decorative arts, create contemporary Fabergé-style eggs, keeping the tradition alive. Museums worldwide, including the Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg, proudly display these masterpieces.
The Imperial Fabergé eggs’ history is a testament to unmatched craftsmanship and artistic innovation. Whether admired for their beauty, historical significance, or mystery, these eggs continue to enchant the world, ensuring that the legacy of Russian royal jewelry Fabergé craftsmanship lives on. Art finds its way back!
Image Courtesy: Fabergé Museum
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