Why were Fabergé eggs created?
One-hundred thirty-six years ago, Tsar Alexander III of Russia commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé to create a jeweled egg as an Easter gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. It was meant to be a one-time order, but the result was so pleasing that the tsar immediately placed an order for the following year.
Who were the Fabergé eggs made for?
A Fabergé egg is one of the jewelled eggs made by Peter Carl Fabergé and his company between 1885 and 1917. The most famous are those made for the Russian Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II. They were Easter gifts for their wives and mothers, and are called the ‘Imperial’ Fabergé eggs.
What is Faberge made of?
Designed by Alma Pihl, the only female and one of the best known Fabergé workmasters, as a gift to Maria Feodorovna by her son Nicholas II. The exterior of the egg resembles frost and ice crystals formed on clear glass. It is studded with 1,660 diamonds and is made from quartz, platinum, and orthoclase.
Is there a Russian royal family?
Romanov is the son of the Russian Imperial House head Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, the only child of Vladimir Romanov and Duchess Leonida Bagration of Mukhrani. The 40-year-old Romanov, a member of the last dynasty of the Russian Tsardom, which was murdered by the Bolsheviks, currently resides in Spain.
Are Fabergé eggs still made?
While the opulence of the original, imperial eggs remains limited to the first series produced under Peter Carl Fabergé, the House of Fabergé has continued to make luxury eggs, exquisite jewellery and objects d’art for a century. Find some of these treasures in our Fabergé Imperial Collection themed auctions.
Do Faberge still make eggs?
Nowadays the majority of Fabergé eggs can be found at the Kremlin Armory which contains ten eggs, the Fabergé Museum in St.
Did any Russian royalty survive?
Contemporary Romanovs Descendants of Nicholas II’s two sisters, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia and Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, do survive, as do descendants of previous tsars.
Who was the founder of the House of Faberge?
The House of Fabergé was founded by Gustav Fabergé in 1842 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Fabergé egg was a later addition to the product line by his son, Peter Carl Fabergé. Prior to 1885, Tsar Alexander III gave his wife Empress Maria Feodorovna jeweled Easter eggs.
Who was Faberge commissioned to make eggs for?
The imperial eggs enjoyed great fame. Fabergé was commissioned to make similar eggs for a few private clients, including the Duchess of Marlborough, the Rothschild family, and the Yusupovs. Fabergé was also commissioned to make twelve eggs for the industrialist Alexander Kelch, though only seven appear to have been completed.
When did the Faberge family leave St Petersburg?
Following the revolution and the nationalization of the Fabergé workshop in St. Petersburg by the bolsheviks in 1918, the Fabergé family left Russia. The Fabergé trademark has since been sold several times and several companies have retailed egg-related merchandise using the Fabergé name.
Why are Faberge Faberge presentation pieces so important?
Fabergé imperial presentation pieces represent another important collecting area, and they often have diplomatic provenance. The imperial Russian court was renowned for presenting lavish gifts to Russian and foreign dignitaries, a tradition that flourished during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II.