Fabergé Eggs: Treasures of Russian Imperial Jewelry
The Birth of a Legendary House
Founded in 1842 , Fabergé is one of the most iconic jewelry houses in the world. Official jeweler to the Russian Imperial Court, Peter Carl Fabergé created exquisite jewelry and objects, including the legendary series of Imperial Easter eggs .
The Egg and the Hen: The First in a Long Series
The story of Fabergé eggs begins in 1885 , when Tsar Alexander III commissioned a luxury Easter egg game to give to his wife Maria Feodorovna .
Named the Hen Egg , it is presented as a white egg adorned with a gold border , which contains several surprises: a golden yolk , a small golden hen with ruby eyes, then, inside it, a gold medal and a miniature of the imperial crown , set with diamonds with a ruby pendant.
A Unique Imperial Tradition in the World
The egg was a great success with the imperial family, and the tradition of giving Fabergé eggs as gifts was established. Approximately 50 Imperial Eggs were created between 1885 and 1916 , 43 of which are still preserved today in private collections and museums around the world.
Among the most famous models are:
- The Imperial Coronation Egg (1897), in yellow gold and translucent enamel
- The Winter Egg (1913), adorned with rock crystal, platinum and diamonds, is considered one of the most expensive ever sold.
The Revolution: End of an Imperial Era
The tradition was interrupted in 1917 , at the time of the Russian Revolution . The House of Fabergé was nationalized, and Peter Carl went into exile in Switzerland, putting an end to this exceptional imperial production.
A Modern Renaissance Inspired by the Past
Since the 2000s , the Fabergé brand has been relaunched, with new collections of jewelry and modern eggs inspired by its imperial heritage . In 2015 , it also ventured into luxury watchmaking , reconnecting with innovation and artisanal excellence .
