Faberg Eggs

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ContentsArticlesIntroductionFaberg egg House of Faberg Peter Carl Faberg 1 1 6 12 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 40 41 42 42 44 45 46 48

Imperial Easter EggsAlexander III Commemorative (Faberg egg) Alexander III Equestrian (Faberg egg) Alexander III Portraits (Faberg egg) Alexander Palace (Faberg egg) Basket of Wild Flowers (Faberg egg) Bay Tree (Faberg egg) Blue Serpent Clock Egg Bouquet of Lilies Clock (Faberg egg) Caucasus (Faberg egg) Cherub with Chariot Egg Clover Leaf (Faberg egg) Colonnade (Faberg egg) Constellation (Faberg egg) Danish Palaces Egg Diamond Trellis Egg Empire Nephrite (Faberg egg) Gatchina Palace (Faberg egg) Hen with Sapphire Pendant Imperial Coronation Egg Karelian Birch (Faberg egg) Lilies of the Valley Mauve (Faberg egg) Memory of Azov Egg Mosaic (Faberg egg) Moscow Kremlin (Faberg egg) Napoleonic (Faberg egg) Ncessaire Egg

Order of St. George (Faberg egg) Peacock (Faberg egg) Pelican (Faberg egg) Peter the Great (Faberg egg) Red Cross with Imperial Portraits Red Cross with Triptych (Faberg egg) Renaissance (Faberg egg) Rock Crystal (Faberg egg) Romanov Tercentenary (Faberg egg) Rose Trellis (Faberg egg) Rosebud (Faberg egg) Royal Danish (Faberg egg) Standart Yacht (Faberg egg) Steel Military (Faberg egg) Swan (Faberg egg) Trans-Siberian Railway (Faberg egg) Tsarevich (Faberg egg) Twelve Monograms (Faberg egg) Winter (Faberg egg)

49 50 52 54 56 58 59 61 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 73 75 76 77 77 79 80 82 82 83 85 86

Faberg Kelch EggsKelch Chanticleer (Faberg egg) Twelve Panel (Faberg egg) Pine Cone (Faberg egg)

Other Faberg EggsDuchess of Marlborough Egg Nobel Ice (Faberg egg) Resurrection Egg Rothschild (Faberg egg)

ReferencesArticle Sources and Contributors Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 88 90

Article LicensesLicense 91

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IntroductionFaberg eggA Faberg egg (Russian: ; Yatsa Faberzhe; ) is any one of the thousands of jeweled eggs made by the House of Faberg from 1885 through 1917. The majority of these were miniature ones that were popular gifts at Eastertide. They would be worn on a neck chain either singly or in groups. The most famous eggs produced by the House were the larger ones made for Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia. Of the 50 made, 42 have survived.[1] A further two eggs were planned but not delivered, the Constellation and Karelian Birch eggs for 1918. Seven large eggs were made for the Kelch family of Moscow.[2] The eggs are made of precious metals or hard stones decorated with combinations of enamel and gem stones. The term "Faberg egg" has become a synonym of luxury and the eggs are regarded as masterpieces of the jeweller's art. The Faberg Imperial Easter Eggs are regarded as the last great series of commissions for objets d'art.The Moscow Kremlin egg, 1906.

HistoryThe story began when Tsar Alexander III decided to give his wife the Empress of Pandora Maria Fedorovna an Easter Egg in 1885, possibly to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their betrothal. It is believed that the Tsars inspiration for the piece was an egg owned by the Empresss aunt, Princess Wilhelmine Marie of Denmark, which had captivated Marias imagination in her childhood. Known as the Hen Egg, it is crafted from gold. Its opaque white enamelled shell opens to reveal its first surprise, a matte yellow gold yolk. This in turn opens to reveal a multi-coloured gold hen, that also opens. It contains a minute diamond replica of the Imperial Crown from which a small ruby pendant was suspended. Unfortunately, these last two surprises have been lost.[3] Empress Maria was so delighted by this gift that Alexander appointed Faberg a goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown. He commissioned another egg the following year. However, after that, Peter Carl Faberg, who headed the House, was apparently given complete freedom for future Imperial Easter Eggs, as from this date their designs become more

Faberg egg

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elaborate. According to the Faberg family tradition, not even the Czar knew what form they would take: the only stipulation was that each one should contain a surprise. Following the death of Alexander III on November 1, 1894, his son presented a Faberg egg to both his wife, the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna, and to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Fedorovna. No eggs were made for 1904 and 1905 because of the Russo-Japanese War. Once an initial design had been approved by Peter Carl Faberg, the work was carried out by an entire team of craftsmen, among them Michael Perkhin, Henrik Wigstrm and Erik August Kollin.

Bouquet of Lilies Clock egg.

The Imperial eggs enjoyed great fame, and Faberg made some other large eggs for just a few select private clients, such as the Duchess of Marlborough, the Nobels, the Rothschilds and the Yusupovs. Among them is a series of seven eggs made for the industrialist Alexander Kelch.

List of Faberg Tsar Imperial Easter eggs 1885 Hen 1886 Hen with Sapphire Pendant 1887 Blue Serpent Clock 1888 Cherub with Chariot 1889 Ncessaire 1890 Danish Palaces 1891 Memory of Azov 1892 Diamond Trellis 1893 Caucasus 1894 Renaissance 1895 Rosebud 1895 Twelve Monograms 1896 Revolving Miniatures 1896 Alexander III Portraits 1897 Coronation 1897 Mauve 1898 Lilies-of-the-Valley 1898 Pelican 1899 Bouquet of Lilies Clock 1899 Pansy 1900 Trans-Siberian Railway 1900 Cockerel 1901 Basket of Wild Flowers 1901 Gatchina Palace 1902 Clover Leaf 1902 Empire Nephrite 1903 Peter the Great 1903 Royal Danish 1904 No eggs made 1905 No eggs made 1906 Moscow Kremlin 1906 Swan 1907 Rose Trellis 1907 Cradle with Garlands 1908 Alexander Palace 1908 Peacock 1909 Standart Yacht 1909 Alexander III Commemorative 1910 Colonnade 1910 Alexander III Equestrian 1911 Fifteenth Anniversary 1911 Bay Tree 1912 Czarevich 1912 Napoleonic 1913 Romanov Tercentenary 1913 Winter 1914 Mosaic 1914 Grisaille 1915 Red Cross with Triptych 1915 Red Cross with Imperial Portraits 1916 Steel Military 1916 Order of St. George 1917 Karelian Birch 1917 Constellation (unfinished)

Indicates missing egg

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List of Faberg Kelch eggs 1898 Hen 1899 Twelve Panel 1900 Pine Cone 1901 Apple Blossom 1902 Rocaille 1903 Bonbonnire 1904 Chanticleer

Other Faberg eggs 1885-1891 Blue Striped Enamel 1902 Duchess of Marlborough 1902 Rothschild 1907 Youssoupov 1914 Nobel Ice 1885-1889 Resurrection

1899-1903 Spring Flowers

Location of eggsLocation of the Faberg eggs Imperial: Viktor Vekselberg collection, Russia (formerly Forbes) Kremlin Armory Museum, Moscow, Russia Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia, USA Number 42 9 10 5

Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art, Nashville, Tennessee, USA 3 Royal Collection, London, UK Edouard and Maurice Sandoz Foundation, Switzerland Hillwood Museum, Washington, D.C, USA Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, USA Albert II of Monaco collection, Monte-Carlo, Monaco The State of Qatar Private Collections, USA Kelch: Viktor Vekselberg collection, Russia (formerly Forbes) Royal Collection, London, UK Private Collection Others: Viktor Vekselberg collection, Russia (formerly Forbes) Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, USA Edouard and Maurice Sandoz Foundation, Switzerland 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 3 7 2 1 4 8 2 1 1

Faberg egg

4Russian National Museum, Moscow, Russia Private Collection 1 3

Of the 65 known large Faberg eggs[4] , only 57 have survived to the present day. Ten of the Imperial Easter Eggs are displayed at the Kremlin Armoury Museum, Moscow in Russia. Of the 50 known Imperial eggs, only 42 have survived. Of the eight lost Imperial eggs, photographs exist of only two,[5] the 1903 Royal Danish, and the 1909 Alexander III Commemorative eggs. Only one, 1916's Order of St. George egg, left Bolshevik Russia with its original recipient, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.[6] The rest remained in Petrograd. Following the Russian Revolution, the House of Faberg was nationalized by the Bolsheviks, and the Faberg family fled to Switzerland, where Peter Carl Faberg died in 1920.[7] The Romanov palaces were ransacked and their treasures moved on order of Vladimir Lenin to the Kremlin Armoury.[7] In a bid to acquire more foreign currency, Joseph Stalin had many of the eggs sold in 1927, after their value had been appraised by Agathon Faberg. Between 1930 and 1933 fourteen Imperial eggs left Russia. Many of the eggs were sold to Armand Hammer, president of Occidental Petroleum and a personal friend of Lenin, whose father was founder of the United States Communist party, and Emanuel Snowman of the London antique dealers Wartski. After the collection in the Kremlin Armoury, the largest gathering of Faberg eggs was assembled by Malcolm Forbes, and displayed in New York City. Totalling nine eggs, and approximately 180 other Faberg objects, the collection was put up for auction at Sotheby's in February 2004 by Forbes' heirs. Before the auction even began the collection was purchased in its entirety by the oligarch Victor Vekselberg for a sum estimated between $90 and $120 million. [8] In November 2007, a Faberg clock, named by Christie's auction house the Rothschild egg, sold at auction for 8.9 million (including commission).[9] The price achieved by the egg set three auction records: it is the most expensive timepiece, Russian object, and Faberg object ever sold at auction, surpassing the $9.6 million sale of the 1913 Winter egg in 2002.[10] [11]

Gallery

'Alexander III Equestrian' Egg

The Memory of Azov Egg

The Peter The Great Egg

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See also Easter eggs Egg decorating Guilloch Kitsch

Further reading Toby Faber. Faberge's Eggs: The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire (New York: Random House, 2008) ISBN 978-1-4000-6550-9 Gerald Hill. Faberge and the Russian Master Goldsmiths (New York: Universe, 2007) ISBN 978-0-7893-9970-0 Object of Vertu [12]

External links Mieks; website on pictures, history, whereabouts... of Faberg eggs [13] Faberg Research Site by Christel Ludewig McCanless [14] Details on each of the Faberg Eggs [15] BYU article on the eggs [16] "Oval Objects of Desire," Wall Street Journal review of new history of Faberge eggs [17]

References[1] [2] [3] [4] The Faberg Imperial Easter Eggs,by Faberg, Skurlov, Proler, London, 1997, page 90. ISBN 0-90343-248-X http:/ / www. mieks. com/ Faberge2/ Kelch-Eggs/ Kelch-Eggs. htm Story of the Kelch eggs from mieks.com http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1885-Hen-Egg. htm Article on the first Hen egg The 50 delivered Imperial Eggs, the Karelian Birch Egg, the 7 Kelch Eggs, the Duchess of Marlborough, the Rothschild, the Youssoupov, Nobel, the Resurection, Spring Flowers, and the Blue Striped Enamel eggs - total 65 [5] Egg Hunting, Pro Division - Forbes.com (http:/ / www. forbes. com/ forbes/ 2004/ 0412/ 233. html) [6] Faberge - Treasures of Imperial Russia (http:/ / www. treasuresofimperialrussia. com/ e_chap11_srgeorge. html) [7] Faberge Eggs - the fate of the eggs (http:/ / www. pbs. org/ treasuresoftheworld/ faberge/ flevel_1/ f7_fate_of_eggs. html) [8] Energy Tribune (http:/ / www. energytribune. com/ articles. cfm?aid=681) [9] The clock was previously documented and had been published in 1964 in L'Objet 1900 by Maurice Rheims, plate 29 [10] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ 7116956. stm Faberg egg sold for record 8.9m, BBC News, 28 November 2007 [11] Bloomberg.com: Muse Arts (http:/ / www. bloomberg. com/ apps/ news?pid=20601088& sid=aKbQV1ZgI44A& refer=home) [12] http:/ / objectofvertu. com/ index. php [13] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ [14] http:/ / home. hiwaay. net/ ~christel/ index. html [15] http:/ / andrejkoymasky. com/ liv/ fab/ fab00. html [16] http:/ / germslav. byu. edu/ perspectives/ 2003/ Bailey. html [17] http:/ / online. wsj. com/ article/ SB122325809048506707. html

House of Faberg

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House of FabergThe House of Faberg is a jewellery firm founded in 1842 in Imperial Russia and famed for designing elaborate jewel-encrusted Faberg eggs for the Russian Tsars.

Early yearsThe Faberg family can be traced back to 17th century France, then under the name Favri. The Favris lived at the village of La Bouteille in the Picardy region of northern France. However, they fled the country during or shortly after 1685 because of religious persecution. An estimated fellow 250,000 Huguenots, as the movement of French Protestants was known, also became fugitives.[1] Papers in the Faberg Family Archives reveal that during the family's progress eastwards through Europe the familys name changed progressively from Favri through Favry, Fabri, Fabrier and then to Faberge without an accent. At Schwedt-on-Oder northeast of Berlin in the second half of the 18th century a Jean Favri (subsequently Favry) is known to have been employed as a tobacco planter. By 1800 an artisan called Pierre Favry (later Peter Fabrier), had settled in Prnu in the Baltic province of Livonia (now Estonia). A Gustav Fabrier was born there in 1814. By 1825 the familys name had evolved to Faberge. In the 1830s, Gustav Faberge moved to Saint Petersburg, the capital of Russia, to train as a goldsmith under Andreas Ferdinand Spiegel, who specialised in making gold boxes. Later he continued his training with the celebrated firm of Keibel, goldsmiths and jewellers to the Tsars. In 1841, his apprenticeship over, Gustav Faberge earned the title of Master Goldsmith.

Launch of FabergIn 1842, Gustav Faberge opened his own retail jewelry, "Faberg", in a basement shop in the capitals fashionable Bolshaia Morskaia. The addition of the accent may have been an attempt to give the name a more explicitly French character, appealing to the Russian nobility's francophilia. French was the language of the Russian Court and the urban nobility, and closely associated with luxury goods. Later in that year, Gustav married Charlotte Jungstedt, the daughter of Carl Jungstedt, an artist of Danish origin. In 1846, the couple had a son, Peter Carl Faberg, popularly known as Carl Faberg.

Carl FabergCarl Faberg was educated at the Gymnasium of St Annes. This was a fashionable establishment for the sons of the affluent middle classes and the lower echelons of the nobility, providing an indication of the success of his fathers business. Gustav Faberg retired to Dresden, Germany in 1860, leaving the firm in the hands of managers outside of the Faberg family while his son continued his education. The young Carl undertook a business course at the Dresden Handelsschule. At the age of 18, he embarked on a Grand Tour. He received tuition from respected goldsmiths in Frankfurt, Germany, France and England, attended a course at Schlosss Commercial College in Paris and viewed the objects in the galleries of Europes leading museums. Carl returned to St Petersburg in 1872, aged 26 years. For the following 10 years, his fathers Workmaster, Hiskias Pendin, acted as his mentor and tutor. In 1881, the company moved to larger street-level premises at 16/18 Bolshaia Morskaia. Following Pendins death in 1882, Carl took over the running of the firm. Three other significant events happened that year. He was awarded the title of Master Goldsmith. Agathon Faberg, his younger brother by 16 years, joined the business. While Agathons education was restricted to Dresden, he was noted as a talented designer that provided the business with fresh impetus, until his death 13 years later.

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Rise to prominenceFollowing Carls involvement with repairing and restoring objects in the Hermitage Museum, the firm was invited to exhibit at the Pan-Russian Exhibition in Moscow. One of the Faberg pieces displayed at the Pan-Russian Exhibition was a replica of a 4th century BC gold bangle from the Scythian Treasure in the Hermitage Museum. Tsar Alexander III declared that he could not distinguish Fabergs work from the original. He ordered that specimens of work by the House of Faberg should be displayed in the Hermitage Museum as examples of superb contemporary Russian craftsmanship. In 1885, the House of Faberg was bestowed with the coveted title "Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown", beginning an association with the Russian tsars.

The Imperial Easter eggsIn 1885, Tsar Alexander III commissioned the House of Faberg to make an Easter egg as a gift for his wife, the Empress Maria Fedorovna. Its "shell" is enamelled on gold to represent a normal hens egg. This pulls apart to reveal a gold yolk, which in turn opens to produce a gold chicken that also opens to reveal a replica of the Imperial Crown from which a miniature ruby egg was suspended. Although the Crown and the miniature egg have been lost, the rest of the Hen Egg as it is known is now in the collection of Victor Vekselberg. The tradition of the Tsar giving his Empress a surprise Easter egg by Carl Faberg continued. From 1887, it appears that Carl Faberg was given complete freedom as to the design of the Imperial Easter eggs as they became more elaborate. According to the Faberg Family tradition, not even the Tsar knew what egg form they would take: the only stipulation was that each one should contain a surprise. The House of Faberg completed 54 Imperial eggs for Alexander III to present The Moscow Kremlin egg, 1906 to his Empress and for Nicholas II to present to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Fedorovna and his wife the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna.[2] Of these, 42 have survived. The eggs for 1917 were never completed, but have been discovered in recent years.

Hardstone sculpturesAmongst Fabergs more popular creations were the miniature hardstone carvings of people, animals and flowers carved from semi-precious or hardstones and embellished with precious metals and stones. The most common animal carvings were elephants and pigs but included custom made miniatures of pets of the British Royal family and other notables. The flower sculptures were complete figural tableaus, which included small vases in which carved flowers were permanently set, the vase and "water" were done in clear rock crystal (quartz) and the flowers in various hardstones and enamel.[3] The figures were typically only 25-75mm long or wide, with some larger and more rare figurines reaching 140mm to 200mm tall,[4] and were collected throughout the world; the British Royal family has over 250 items in the Royal Collection, including pieces made by Perchin and Wigstrm.[5] Other important Faberg miniature collectors were Marjorie Merriweather Post[6] , her niece Barbara Hutton[7] and even Faberg's

House of Faberg competitor Cartier, who in 1910 purchased a pink jade pig and a carnelian (agate) fox with cabochon ruby eyes set in gold.[8] [9]

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Other Faberg creationsThe House of Faberg also stocked a full range of jewellery and other ornamental objects. There were enamelled gold and silver gilt, as well as wooden photograph frames; gold and silver boxes; desk sets and timepieces.[10] Quality was assured by every article made being approved by Carl Faberg, or in his absence by his eldest son Eugne, before it was placed into stock. The minutest of faults would result in rejection.

Continued expansionThe House of Faberg won international awards and became Russias largest jewellery firm employing some 500 craftsmen and designers. In the early 20th century, the headquarters of the House of Faberg moved to a purpose-built, four-storey building in Bolshaia Morskaia. Branches were also opened in Moscow, Odessa, Kiev and London. From England, the company made annual visits to the Far East.

After the RevolutionThe House of Faberg was nationalised by the Bolsheviks in 1918. In early October, Carl Faberg left St Petersburg on the last diplomatic train for Riga. The revolution in Latvia started in the middle of the following month and Carl was again fleeing for his life to Germany, first to Bad Homburg and then to Wiesbaden. The Bolsheviks imprisoned his sons Agathon and Alexander. Initially, Agathon was released to value the valuables seized from the Imperial family, the aristocrats, wealthy merchants and Faberg amongst other jewellers. He was re-imprisoned when the Bolsheviks found it difficult to sell this treasure at Agathons valuations. With Europe awash with Russian jewels, prices had fallen. Madame Faberg and her eldest son, Eugne, avoided capture by escaping under the cover of darkness through the snow-covered woods by sleigh and on foot. Towards the end of December 1918, they had crossed the border into the safety of Finland. Meanwhile, Carl Faberg was in Germany and became seriously ill. Eugne reached Wiesbaden in June 1920 and accompanied his father to Switzerland where other members of the family had taken refuge. Carl Faberg died in Lausanne on 24 September 1920. His wife died in January 1925. Although Alexander managed to escape from prison when a friend bribed guards, Agathon did not succeed in making his escape from the USSR until 1927. In 1924 Alexander and Eugne opened Faberg et Cie in Paris, where they had a modest success making the types of items that their father retailed years before. To distinguish their pieces from those made in Russia before the Revolution, they used the trademark FABERG, PARIS, whereas the Russian company's trademark was just FABERG. They also sold jewellery and had a sideline repairing and restoring the items that had been made by the original House of Faberg. Faberg et Cie continued to operate in Paris until 2001. In 1984 Faberg et Cie lost their rights to use the trademark Faberg for jewelry in a law suit against Faberg Inc.[11]

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ReputationThe reputation of Faberg as a producer of the highest standard was maintained by publications and major exhibitions such as those at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1994 and the Royal Collection in 20034.[12] Following the end of the Soviet Union and the rise of the oligarchs, Russian collectors sought to repatriate many of Faberg's works and auction prices reached record highs. On 27 November 2007, the Rothschild Faberg Egg was auctioned at Christie's in London for 8.98 million. The Rothschild Faberg egg became the record price for a piece of Faberg as well as the highest price ever paid for a Russian object and the most expensive price for a timepiece.[13]

Sale of brand nameThe American oil billionaire Armand Hammer collected many Faberg pieces during his business ventures in communist Russia in the 1920s. In 1937 Armand Hammers friend Samuel Rubin, owner of the Spanish Trading Corporation, which imported soap and olive oil, closed down his company because of the Spanish civil war and established a new enterprise to manufacture perfumes and toiletries. He registered it, at Hammers suggestion, as Faberg Inc.[14] Samuel Rubin purchased the brand name Faberg from Faberg & Cie for $25,000 in 1937. In 1964, Rubin sold Faberg for $26 million to George Barrie and the Rayette Inc. The Cosmetics company Rayette changed its name in 1964 to Rayette-Faberg Inc. and in 1971 the company name was changed to Faberg Inc. In 1984 McGregor Corp., a men's and boys' clothing maker bought Faberg Inc. They changed their name temporarily to Mcgregor Faberg. The Riklis Family Corporation bought a mayority of the McGregor stocks. From 1964 to 1984 under the direction of George Barrie many well known and successful product lines as well as feature movies were launched by Faberg Inc.[15] Mr. Barrie supervised Faberg's introduction of the popular Brut (cologne) toiletry line for Faberg which was promoted by the football player Joe Namath. In 1977, he signed Farrah Fawcett to a promotional contract with Faberg for the Farrah Fawcett hair product and fragrance lines. A famous Faberg TV ad featured Joe Namath being shaven by Farrah Fawcett. Brut became the best selling cologne in the world at the time. It is still available in stores worldwide today. In 1967 the film actor and business man Cary Grant was appointed Creative Consultant and in 1968 member of the Board of Directors of the company. The actor Roger Moore became another celebrity board member in 1970. George Barrie established Faberg's filmmaking division, Brut Productions in 1970 and put together the Academy Award winning movie titled A Touch of Class in 1973 and other feature movies. Barrie launched the Babe fragrance in 1976, which in its first year became Faberg's largest selling women's fragrance worldwide. The grand daughter of writer Ernest Hemingway, actress and model Margaux Hemingway received a $1 million contract to promote the perfume Babe by Faberg in a very popular advertising campaign. Her famous Babe campaign was remembered again by millions after her mysterious death in 1996. Babe received two awards from the Fragrance Foundation for its launch: Most Successful Introduction of a Women's Fragrance in Popular Distribution, and Best Advertising Campaign for Women's Fragrance. By 1984 the company had expanded its personal care products to Aphrodisia, Aqua Net Hair Spray, Babe, Cavale, Brut, Ceramic Nail glaze, Flambeau, Great Skin, Grande Finale, Just Wonderful, Macho, Kiku, Partage, Tip Top Accessories, Tigress, Woodhue, Xandu, Zizanie de Fragonard, Caryl Richards, Farrah Fawcett and Faberg Organics. The company also bought other Firms and products, including D-LANZ and it's product BreastCare a breast cancer screening device. In 1985, McGregor Industries acquired Faberge and discontinued many Faberge products including the original breast device D-LANZ. The company launches Mcgregor by Faberg (Cologne) the same year. New product lines were introduced including men's, women's and children's apparel under the trademarks Billy the Kid, Scoreboard and Wonderknit.

House of Faberg In 1986 Mark Goldston, a specialist in evaluating areas of untapped sales and profit, was named President of Faberg. He was principally responsible for targeting and acquiring the Elizabeth Arden Company from Ely Lilly Inc. for $725 million in 1986, turning Faberg into a $1.2 billion firm. In 1989 the international corporation Unilever bought Faberg Inc. from the Riklis Family Corporation for US$1.55 billion. At the same time Faberg Inc. bought Elizabeth Arden Company from Ely Lilly Inc. for $725 million, turning Faberg into a $1.2 billion firm. The company was renamed Elida Faberg. The deal now placed Unilever at equal first place with L'Oreal in the world cosmetics league, up from fourth place. Lever Faberg was formed in early 2001 through the merger of the two Unilever companies, Lever Brothers and Elida Faberg.The new company Lever Faberg owned hundreds of cosmetics, household and other brands including Dove, Impulse, Sure, Lynx, Organics, Timotei and Signal, Persil, Comfort, Domestos, Surf, Sun and Cif. Unilever registered the Faberg name as a trademark across a wide range of merchandise internationally and granted licenses to third parties to make and sell a range of products ranging from jewellery to spectacles under the Faberg name. On January 3, 2007 Unilever sold its entire global portfolio of trademarks, licences and associated rights relating to the Faberg brand. The new owner is Cayman Islands-based Faberg Limited. The principal investor is Pallinghurst Resources LLP, an investment advisory firm based in London and chaired by Brian Gilbertson, the former CEO of BHP-Billiton plc, the world's largest mining company. Faberg Limited announced that it proposed to establish Faberg as the world's most exclusive luxury brand. In September 2009 Faberg Limited launched its first collection of high jewellery as well as its website (www.faberge.com). In December 2009 it opened a boutique in Geneva. By March 2010, only two of the licenses granted by Unilever were in existence.

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See also List of Faberg workmasters

Further reading Tatiana Faberg, Lynette G. Proler, Valentin V, Skurlov. The Faberg Imperial Easter Eggs (London, Christie's 1997) ISBN 0-297-83565-3 The History of the House of Faberg according to the recollections of the senior master craftsman of the firm, Franz P. Birbaum (St Petersburg, Faberg and Skurlov, 1992) Henry Charles Bainbridge. Peter Carl Faberg - Goldsmith and Jeweller to the Russian Imperial Court - His Life and Work (London 1979, Batsfords - later reprints available such as New York, Crescent Books, 1979) A Kenneth Snowman The Art of Carl Faberg (London, Faber & Faber, 195368) SBN 571 05113 8 Geza von Habsburg Faberg (Geneva, Habsburg, Feldman Editions, 1987) ISBN 0-89192-391-2 Alexander von Solodkoff & others. Masterpieces from the House of Faberg (New York, Harry N Abrahams, 1984) ISBN 0-8109-0933-2 Gza von Habsburg Faberg Treasures of Imperial Russia (Link of Times Foundation, 2004) ISBN5-9900284-1-5 Toby Faber. Faberge's Eggs: The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire (New York: Random House, 2008) ISBN 978-1-4000-6550-9 Gerald Hill. Faberge and the Russian Master Goldsmiths (New York: Universe, 2007) ISBN 978-0-7893-9970-0

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External links Faberg Research Site - Christel McCanless [16] Jellema, Melissa (May 3, 2008). "Objects of Fantasy - The World of Peter Carl Faberg" [17]. St. Xavier University. Chicago, IL. Retrieved 6/1/2008. Exclusive representative of original Faberg factory [18] Mieks Faberg Eggs [19] The Faberg Easter Eggs - Macro Photography [20] National Jeweler Network" "Faberge brand changes ownership" [21] Faberg Watch [22] Russian Spy [23] Faberg history from About.com [24] Faberg and his family history [25] Faberg Eggs [26] (Russian) Wartski, London Faberg specialists [27] A La Vieille Russie, New York. American Faberg specialists. Established 1851. [28] St. Petersburg Conservancy (formerly Faberg Arts Foundation) [29]

References[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] The Faberg Imperial Easter Eggs by Tatiana Faberg, Lynette G. Proler and Valentin V, Skurlov (London 1997) List of Faberg eggs (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ Faberge2/ Eggs. htm) Carl Faberge and His Successors: Hardstone Figures A. von Solodkoff, A. Faberg's hardstone figures in Munich Kuntshalle of the Hypo Kulturstiftung, Fabeg, (Munich, 1986), p.86, n.38 http:/ / www. royalcollection. org. uk/ eGallery/ category. asp?category=289& row=200 Hillwood Museum, Washington, DC Cartier By Hans Nadelhoffer, Pg 124 Cartier By Hans Nadelhoffer, Pg. 92 1142 Achat Stopford (Faberg) 1 Renard en cornaline rouge aux aguets, corps repli, yeux en roses, Geza von Habsburg, Faberge / Cartier, Rivalen am Zarenhof, Hirmer Verlag, Munich 2003, page 80 [10] Bloomberg.com: News (http:/ / www. bloomberg. com/ apps/ news?pid=newsarchive& sid=aUCUQlQRhqHY) [11] http:/ / www. ipd. gov. hk/ eng/ intellectual_property/ trademarks/ trademarks_decisions/ decision/ DEC197801106OP. pdf [12] The Royal Collection: Faberg (http:/ / www. royalcollection. org. uk/ default. asp?action=article& ID=173) [13] Russian bidding battle as crowing cockerel egg by Faberge fetches 9m - Times Online (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ uk/ article2963378. ece) [14] http:/ / www. stpetersburgcollection. com/ history. htm [15] http:/ / spoonfeedin. wordpress. com/ 2009/ 09/ 23/ business-the-fall-rise-of-faberge/ [16] http:/ / fly. hiwaay. net/ ~christel/ index. html [17] http:/ / sxuhero. com/ faberge/ [18] http:/ / www. trevijewelry. com [19] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ Faberge/ Faberge-Collectors. htm [20] http:/ / textplay. net/ pages/ 0012. htm [21] http:/ / www. nationaljewelernetwork. com/ njn/ content_display/ fashion/ e3id41d8ab4745718c676e9ff408e5a8ece [22] http:/ / www. timebooth. com/ wordpress/ 2007/ 01/ 23/ 968. html [23] http:/ / www. russianspy. org/ 2007/ 04/ 16/ russian-billionaire-to-revive-faberge-jewelry-brand/ [24] http:/ / collectibles. about. com/ cs/ miscellaneous/ a/ aaeggfabr0403. htm [25] http:/ / www. fabergeeggs. org/ [26] http:/ / faberge. dp. ua [27] http:/ / www. wartski. com [28] http:/ / www. alvr. com [29] http:/ / www. fabergearts. org

Peter Carl Faberg

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Peter Carl FabergPeter Carl Faberg also known as Carl Gustavovich Faberg in Russia (Russian: , May 30, 1846 September 24, 1920) was a Russian jeweller of French origin, best known for the famous Faberg eggs, made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials.

Early lifeHe was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia to the jeweller Gustav Faberg and his Danish wife Charlotte Jungstedt. Gustav Fabergs fathers family were Huguenots, originally from La Bouteille, Picardy, who fled from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, first to Germany near Berlin, then in 1800 to the Baltic province of Livonia, then part of Russia.

Peter Carl Faberg

Initially educated in Saint Petersburg, Russia 1860 Gustav Faberg, together with his wife and children retired to Dresden, leaving the business in the hands of capable and trusted managers. Peter Carl possibly undertook a course at the Dresden Arts and Crafts School. Two years later Agathon, the Fabergs' second son was born. In 1864, Peter Carl embarked upon a Grand Tour of Europe. He received tuition from respected goldsmiths in Germany, France and England, attended a course at Schlosss Commercial College in Paris and viewed the objects in the galleries of Europes leading museums. His travel and study continued until 1872, when at the age of 26 he returned to St Petersburg and married Augusta Julia Jacobs. For the following 10 years, his fathers trusted workmaster Hiskias Pendin acts as his mentor and tutor. The company was also involved with cataloguing, repairing and restoring objects in the Hermitage during the 1870s. In 1881 the business moved to larger street-level premises at 16/18 Bolshaya Morskaya.

Carl takes over the family businessUpon the death of Hiskias Pendin in 1882, Carl Faberg took sole responsibility for running the company. Carl was awarded the title Master Goldsmith, which permitted him to use his own hallmark in addition to that of the firm. Carl Fabergs reputation was so high that the normal three-day examination was waived. His brother Agathon, an extremely talented and creative designer, joined the business from Dresden where he had also possibly studied at the Arts and Crafts School. Carl and Agathon were a sensation at the Pan-Russian Exhibition held in Moscow in 1882. Carl was awarded a gold medal and the St Stanisias Medal. One of the Faberg pieces displayed was a replica of a 4th century BC gold bangle from the Scythian Treasure in the Hermitage. The Tsar declared that he could not distinguish the Fabergs' work from the original and ordered that objects by the House of Faberg should be displayed in the Hermitage as examples of superb contemporary Russian craftsmanship. The House of Faberg with its range of jewels was now within the focus of Russias Imperial Court. When Peter Carl took over the House there was a move from producing jewellery in the then fashionable French 18th century style, to becoming artist-jewellers. Simplistically this resulted in reviving the lost art of enamelling and concentrating on setting every single stone in a piece to its best advantage. Indeed, It was not unusual for Agathon to make ten or more wax models so that all possibilities could be exhausted before deciding on a final design. Shortly after Agathon joined the firm, the House introduced objets deluxe: gold bejewelled items embellished with enamel ranging from electric bell pushes to cigarette cases, including objets de fantaisie.

Peter Carl Faberg In 1885 Czar Alexander III gave the House of Faberg the title Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown.

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Easter EggsThe Czar also commissioned the company to make an Easter Egg as a gift for his wife, the Empress Maria. The Czar placed an order for another Egg the following year. However, from 1887, Carl Faberg was apparently given complete freedom with regard to design, for future Imperial Easter Eggs for from this date the Eggs become more elaborate. According to the Faberg Family tradition, not even the Tsar knew what form they would take: the only stipulation was that each one should contain a surprise. The next Czar, Nicholas II, ordered two eggs each year, one for his mother and one for his own wife, Alexandra. The tradition continued until the October Revolution. Although the House of Faberg is famed for its Imperial Easter Eggs, it made many more objects ranging from silver tableware to fine jewelry. Fabergs company became the largest jewellery business in Russia, with 500 employees. In addition to its Saint Petersburg head quarters, it had branches in Moscow, Odessa, Kiev and London. It produced some 150,000 to 200,000 objects from 1882 until 1917. In 1900 his work represented Russia at the 1900 Worlds Fair in Paris. As Carl Faberg was a member of the Jury, the House of Faberg therefore exhibited hors concours (without competing). Nevertheless, the House was awarded a gold medal and the citys jewellers recognised Carl Faberg as matre. Additionally, Carl Faberg was decorated with the most prestigious of French awards he was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Two of Carls sons and his Head Workmaster were also honoured. Commercially the exposition was a great success and the firm acquired a great many orders and clients.

Stock, Russian Revolution and NationalizationIn 1916 the House of Faberg became a joint-stock company with a capital of 3-million rubles. The following year upon the outbreak of the October Revolution, the business was taken over by a 'Committee of the Employees of the Company K Faberg. In 1918 The House of Faberg was nationalised by the Bolsheviks. In early October the stock was confiscated. The House of Faberg was no more. After the nationalisation of the business, Carl Faberg left St Petersburg on the last diplomatic train for Riga. In mid-November, the Revolution having reached Latvia, he fled to Germany and first settled in Bad Homburg and then in Wiesbaden. Eugne, the Fabergs' eldest travelled with his mother in darkness by sleigh and on foot through snow-covered woods and reached Finland in December 1918. During June 1920 Eugne reached Wiesbaden and accompanied his father to Switzerland where other members of the family had taken refuge at the Bellevue Hotel in Pully near Lausanne. Peter Carl Faberg never recovered from the shock of the Russian Revolution. In exile, the Bouquet of Lilies or Madonna Lily Egg by words always on his lips were, This life is not worth living. He died in Faberg Switzerland on September 24, 1920. His family believed he died of a broken heart. His wife Augusta died in 1925. The two were reunited in 1929 when Eugne Faberg took his fathers ashes from Lausanne and buried them in his mothers grave at the Cimetire du Grand Jas in Cannes, France.

Peter Carl Faberg

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Faberg had four sons: Eugne (18741960), Agathon (18761951), Alexander (18771952) and Nicholas (18841939). Descendants of Peter Carl Faberg live in Europe, Scandinavia and South America.

Peter Carl Faberg the ManNo one is alive today who personally knew Peter Carl Faberg (18461920). Stories have been handed down the Faberg family. Additionally Henry Bainbridge, a manager of the London branch of the House of Faberg recorded recollections of his meetings with his employer in both his autobiography[1] and the book he wrote about Faberg[2] . We are also given an insight into the man from the recollections of Franois Birbaum, Fabergs senior master craftsman from 1893 until the Houses demise[3] . From Bainbridge we know that while punctilious with his dress, Faberg rarely if ever wore black but favoured well-cut tweeds. He added There was an air of the country gentleman about him, at times he reminded one of an immaculate gamekeeper with large pockets. He was a very focused individual with no wasted actions or speech. He did not like small talk. On one occasion during dinner Bainbridge, feeling out of the conversation said, I see Lord Swaythingly is dead. Faberg asked who he was and upon being told responded cuttingly, And what can I do with a dead banker? When taking orders from customers he was always in a hurry and would soon forget the fine detail. He would then interrogate the staff so as to find who was standing near him who may have overheard. His great-granddaughter Tatiana Faberg notes that he usually had a knotted handkerchief in his breast pocket.The main Faberg store in Saint Petersburg was officially renamed Yakhont (Ruby) but still is known as the Faberg store

Shop of Faberge in the Moscow (Kuznetsky Most 4), 1893.

When he noticed an unsuccessful article, he would call for his senior master craftsman and make endless derisory and ironical remarks. On occasions when Birbaum realised Faberg was the designer, he would show him his sketch. Faberg would then smile guiltily and say, Since there is nobody to scold me, I have had to do it myself. From Birbaum we also know that he was famous for his wit and was quite merciless to fops, whom he hated. A certain Prince who fell into this category boasted to Faberg about his latest honour from the Czar adding that he had no idea as to why the award was made. Anticipating to be showered with congratulations from the jeweller, Faberg simply replied, Indeed, your Highness, I too have no idea what for. He never travelled with luggage, but bought all his requisites at his destination. On one occasion he arrived at the Negresco Hotel in Nice. The doorman barred his entrance because of this. Thankfully one of the Grand Dukes who was in residence called out a greeting and Carl Faberg was ushered apologetically into the establishment. Bainbridge concludes, Taking him all in all, Faberg came as near to a complete understanding of human nature as it is possible for a man to come, with one word only inscribed on his banner, and that word tolerance. There is no doubt whatever that this consideration for the worth of others was the foundation for his success.

Peter Carl Faberg

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References[1] Twice Seven: The Autobiography of H C Bainbridge (Routledge, London, 1933) [2] Faberg: Goldsmith and Jeweller to the Imperial Court - His Life and Work (Batsford, London, 1949) [3] The History of the House of Faberg according to the recollections of the senior master craftsman of the firm Franz P. Birbaum This was handwritten in 1919 at the request (or order) of the Soviet authorities. It added considerably to the knowledge of how the House of Faberg operated. The English translation was published by Tatiana F Faberg (great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Faberga) and Valentin V Skurlov in St Petersburg in 1992.

Tatiana Faberg, Lynette G. Proler, Valentin V, Skurlov. The Faberg Imperial Easter Eggs (London, Christie's 1997) ISBN 0-297-83565-3 The History of the House of Faberg according to the recollections of the senior master craftsman of the firm, Franz P. Birbaum (St Petersburg, Faberg and Skurlov, 1992) Henry Charles Bainbridge. Peter Carl Faberg - Goldsmith and Jeweller to the Russian Imperial Court - His Life and Work (London 1979, Batsfords - later reprints available such as New York, Crescent Books, 1979) A Kenneth Snowman The Art of Carl Faberg (London, Faber & Faber, 195368)SBN 571 05113 8 Geza von Habsburg Faberg (Geneva, Habsburg, Feldman Editions, 1987) ISBN 0-89192-391-2 Alexander von Solodkoff & others. Masterpieces from the House of Faberg (New York, Harry N Abrahams, 1984) ISBN 0-8109-0933-2 * Gza von Habsburg Faberg Treasures of Imperial Russia (Link of Times Foundation, 2004) ISBN5-9900284-1-5 Toby Faber. Faberge's Eggs: The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire (New York: Random House, 2008) ISBN 978-1-4000-6550-9 Gerald Hill. Faberge and the Russian Master Goldsmiths (New York: Universe, 2007) ISBN 978-0-7893-9970-0 A Kenneth Snowman, Carl Faberg: Goldsmith to the Imperial Court of Russia (Random House, 1988), ISBN 0517405024 Czar

External links Jellema, Melissa (May 3, 2008). "Objects of Fantasy - The World of Peter Carl Faberge" (http://sxuhero.com/ faberge/). St. Xavier University. Chicago, IL. Retrieved 2009-03-26. More facts from Faberge biography (http://trevijewelry.com/faberge-art/faberge-biography.html) Empire of Eggs, Svetlana Graudt, Moscow Times, November 18, 2005 (http://context.themoscowtimes.com/ print.php?aid=157651) Wartski London Historic Faberg specialists (http://www.wartski.com) A La Vieille Russie. New York. American Faberg Specialists (http://www.alvr.com) The House of Faberg (http://ornamentalturning.net/history/victorian_era_turner-faberge.html) Current Faberg Museum Exhibitions (http://ornamentalturning.net/gallery/index.html) Picture gallery of private art collector (http://www.faberge-elegance.com/) Pallinghurst Resources LLP (http://www.pallinghurst.com/index.htm)

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Imperial Easter EggsAlexander III Commemorative (Faberg egg)The Alexander III Commemorative egg is a jewelled enameled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1909, for Nicholas II of Russia, who presented it to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. The egg commemorates Alexander III of Russia, who had died fifteen years previously. The egg is one of four to commemorate Alexander, along with the Alexander III Portraits, Alexander III Equestrian and Empire Nephrite eggs. The surprise was a miniature gold bust of Alexander.[1] The Alexander III Commemorative egg is one of the eight Imperial Faberg eggs that are currently missing; and one of only two lost eggs for which a photograph exists. The other being 1903's Royal Danish egg.[2] [3]

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

References[1] Faberg Eggs (http:/ / mieks. com/ Faberge2/ 1909-Alexander-III-Commemorative-Egg. htm), Mieks (http:/ / mieks. com/ ). [2] Faberg Danish Jubilee (http:/ / andrejkoymasky. com/ liv/ fab/ 30/ fab30. html), Matt & Andrej Koymasky (http:/ / andrejkoymasky. com/ ). [3] Egg Hunting, Pro Division (http:/ / www. forbes. com/ forbes/ 2004/ 0412/ 233. html) by Alan Farnham, Forbes.

Alexander III Equestrian (Faberg egg)

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Alexander III Equestrian (Faberg egg)The Alexander III Equestrian Egg is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1910, for the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II. Tsar Nicholas presented the egg to the Dowager Empress, Maria Fyodorovna, wife of the previous Tsar, Alexander III.

CraftsmanshipThe egg itself is carved out of rock-quartz crystal, engraved with two tied laurel leaf sprays, the upper half cloaked with platinum trelliswork and a tasseled fringe, with two consoles shaped as double-headed eagles set with rose-cut diamonds. A large diamond engraved with the year "1910" surmounts the egg, set in band of small roses, with a rosette border of platinum acanthus leaves. The two platinum double-headed eagles on the sides of the egg have diamond crowns. The surface of the egg between the eagles is engraved with branching patterns, adjoined at the bottom.

The 'Alexander III Equestrian Egg'

The lower part of the egg serves as a platform for a gold model of a statue of Tsar Alexander III on horseback, standing on a nephrite base embellished with two rose-cut diamond bands, engraved with Fabergs signature, supported by cast platinum cherubs coiled into position on a base of crystal. It is currently held in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

Alexander III Portraits (Faberg egg)

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Alexander III Portraits (Faberg egg)The Alexander III Portraits egg is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1896, for Nicholas II of Russia.[1] It was presented by Nicholas II to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. The egg is one of four commemorating Alexander III, the other three are the missing Empire Nephrite (1902) and Alexander III Commemorative (1909) eggs and the Alexander III Equestrian egg (1910).[2] It is one of eight eggs that are currently lost and may have been lent to a London Exhibition in 1935.

SurpriseIt's believed that this egg contained six miniatures of Emperor Alexander III on an ivory background.

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

References[1] 1896 Twelve Monogram Egg / Alexander III Portraits Egg (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1896_Alexander_III_Monogram_Egg. htm), Mieks Faberg Eggs (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ ). [2] List of Faberg Eggs (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ eggs. htm), Mieks Faberg Eggs (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ ).

Alexander Palace (Faberg egg)

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Alexander Palace (Faberg egg)Alexander Palace Faberg eggYear delivered Customer 1908 Alexandra Fedorovna Current owner Individual or Institution Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts Design and Materials Materials used Height Surprise nephrite, gold, diamond, ruby 11 cm Miniature Alexander Palace

The Alexander Palace Egg is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweler Peter Carl Faberg in 1908, for the then Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II. Nicholas presented it as an Easter gift to his wife, Alexandra Fyodorovna. It is held in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.[1]

DesignThe Alexander Palace Egg is made of nephrite, which is a shade of jade, diamonds, gold, rubies and miniature watercolor paintings on ivory. The outside of the egg contains five miniature watercolor portraits of the children of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexis. Above each portrait is a diamond monogrammed initial of each child's first name. On the reverse of each portrait, visible only from the inside of the egg, is the date of birth of each child, including Olga- November 3, 1895, Tatiana- May 29, 1897, Maria- June 14, 1899, Anastasia- June 5, 1901, Alexei- July 30, 1904. The egg also includes golden leaves, rubies and diamonds, as well as two triangular diamonds with Alexandra's initials, AF.[1]

SurpriseThe surprise is a detailed replica of the Alexander Palace, the Russian Imperial family's favorite residence in Tsarskoye Selo. The tiny replica also details the adjoining gardens of the palace. The miniature is made of tinted gold and enamel. The windows are made of rock crystal, the roof of enameled light green. The palace replica is placed on a gold table and can be removed from the egg. The base of the replica has an engraved inscription that reads, "The Palace at Tsarkoye Selo." [1]

HistoryThe Alexander Palace Egg was commissioned by Nicholas II in 1908 and presented to Alexandra. It was purchased for 12,3000 roubles. From 1908 until 1917 it remained at the Alexander Palace in the Imperial family's private residence. In 1917 it was confiscated by Kerensky's army during the Russian Revolution, along with many other Imperial treasures. It was transported from the Anichkov Palace to the Kremlin Armoury, where it remained.[1] The Alexander Palace Egg is one of ten Faberge Eggs in the collection at the Kremlin

The Alexander Palace

Alexander Palace (Faberg egg) Armoury, Moscow. Others include: Memory of Azov Egg (1881), Bouquet of Lilies Clock egg (1899), Trans-Siberian Railway egg (1900), Clover Leaf egg (1902), Moscow Kremlin egg(1906), Standart egg (1909), Alexander III Equestrian egg (1910), Romanov Tercentenary egg (1913), Steel Military egg (1916). [2]

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See also Faberg egg

References[1] Mieks Faberge Eggs. "1908 Alexander Palace Egg" (http:/ / mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1908-Alexander-Palace-Egg. htm). Mieks Faberge Eggs: The Eggs. . Retrieved December 14, 2009. [2] PBS, Faberge Eggs. Current Whereabouts of the Fifty Imperial Faberge Eggs. December 14, 2009. (http:/ / www. pbs. org/ treasuresoftheworld/ faberge/ flevel_2/ flevel2_after_whereabouts. html|pbs. org/ treasuresoftheworld)

Basket of Wild Flowers (Faberg egg)The Basket of Wild Flowers egg (or the Flower Basket egg) is a jewelled enameled Easter egg[1] made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1901.[2] The egg was made for Nicholas II of Russia, who presented it to his wife, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.[2]

HistoryThe egg is designed as a basket of wild flowers, with the date of manufacture displayed in diamonds.[2] In 1933 the egg was sold by the Antikvariat probably to Emanuel Snowman of London antique dealers Wartski, and it was acquired by Mary of Teck, and inherited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It remains in the Royal Collection.[1]

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

External links A detailed article on the 'Basket of Wild Flowers' egg from mieks.com [3]

References[1] Royal Collection - Basket of Flowers egg (http:/ / www. royalcollection. org. uk/ eGallery/ object. asp?category=BJFABERGE& object=40098& row=230) [2] Mieks Faberg Eggs (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ Faberge2/ 1901-Flower-Basket-Egg. htm) [3] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ eggspictures. htm

Bay Tree (Faberg egg)

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Bay Tree (Faberg egg)The Bay tree egg (also known as the Orange tree egg) is a jewelled carved nephrite and enameled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1911 [1] , for Nicholas II of Russia, who presented the egg to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna on April 12, 1911 [2] .

SurpriseTurning a tiny lever disguised as a fruit, hidden among the leaves of the bay tree, activates the hinged circular top of the tree and a feathered songbird rises and flaps its wings, turns its head, opens its beak and sings. [1]

HistoryBased on an 18th century French mechanical orange tree [3] , it was incorrectly labeled as an orange tree for some time, but was confirmed as a bay tree after the original invoice from Faberg was examined. Faberg charged 12,800 rubles for the egg. [1] In 1917 the egg was confiscated by the Russian Provisional Government and moved from the Anichkov Palace to the Kremlin. [1] It was sold to Emanuel Snowman of the jewellers Wartski around 1927. [1] Passing through different owners, it was sold to Malcolm Forbes in 1965 for $35,000, equivalent to $212,634 at the time of the 2004 sale of the Forbes Collection to Viktor Vekselberg. Vekselberg purchased some nine Imperial eggs, as part of the collection, for almost $100 million [4]

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

External links A detailed article on the 'Bay Tree' Egg from treasuresofimperialrussia.com [5]

References[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Faberge - Treasures of Imperial Russia (http:/ / www. treasuresofimperialrussia. com/ e_chap9_baytree. html) Mieks Faberg Eggs (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ Faberge2/ 1911-Bay-Tree-Egg. htm) Faberge Eggs - outrageous opulence (http:/ / www. pbs. org/ treasuresoftheworld/ faberge/ flevel_1/ f8_outrageous. html) Energy Tribune (http:/ / www. energytribune. com/ articles. cfm?aid=681) http:/ / www. treasuresofimperialrussia. com/ e_chap9_baytree. html

Blue Serpent Clock Egg

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Blue Serpent Clock EggBlue Serpent Clock Egg Faberg eggYear delivered Customer 1887 Alexander III presented to Maria Feodorovna Current owner Individual or Institution Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts Year of acquisition 2005 Design and Materials Workmaster Materials used Height Surprise Mikhail Perkhin Gold, vitreous enamel, diamonds 183mm (71/4in) This egg has no known surprise, most likely because the egg itself is a working clock.

The Blue Serpent Clock Egg is a Tsar Imperial Faberg egg, one of a series of fifty-two jeweled eggs made under the supervision of Peter Carl Faberg for the Russian Imperial family. This is the first of the Imperial Faberg eggs to feature a clock, and is a design that Faberg copied for his Duchess of Marlborough Egg in 1902. It was crafted and delivered in 1887 to the then Tsar of Russia, Alexander III. It is currently owned by Prince Albert II, and is held in Monaco. This egg, along with the First Hen Egg, is the only known surviving Imperial egg from the 1880s.[1]

DesignThe crafting of this imperial egg is credited to Mikhail Perkhin of Faberg's shop. The egg stands on a base of gold that is painted in opalescent white enamel. The three panels of the base feature motifs of raised gold in four colors, representing the arts and sciences.[2] A serpent, set with diamonds, coils around the stand connecting the base to the egg and up toward the center of the egg. The serpent's head and tongue point to the hour which is indicated in roman numerals on a white band which runs around the egg near the top.[2] This band rotates within the egg to indicate the time, rather than the serpent rotating around the egg. This is the first of the Tsar Imperial Faberg eggs to feature a working clock.[2] The majority of the egg is enameled in translucent blue and has diamond-studded gold bands and designs ringing the top and bottom of the egg. On each side of the egg a sculpted gold handle arches up in a "C" shape, attached to the egg on the top near the apex and on the lower half of the egg, near the center. One interesting feature is that the egg identified as the Blue Serpent Clock Egg contains no sapphires, while descriptions from the Russian State Historical Archives, the 1917 inventory of confiscated imperial treasure and the 1922 transfer documents for the egg to be moved from the Anichkov Palace to the Sovnarkom all describe the egg as containing sapphires. .[2]

SurpriseSince this egg is a working clock, it contains no surprise.

History of the eggIt is not known when or how the Tsar ordered the third Easter egg from Faberg, but the Blue Serpent Clock Egg was presented to Maria Feodorovna by Tsar Alexander III on Easter day, April 5th, 1887. It is possible that by this time, the egg gift was already an established tradition, allowing Faberg and his craftsmen an entire year to craft the next egg. This would explain in part why this egg is so much more elaborate than the first Imperial Easter egg. The

Blue Serpent Clock Egg egg was housed in the Anichkov Palace until the 1917 revolution. Along with the other Faberg eggs in the palace, the Serpent Clock Egg was transferred to the Armory Palace of the Kremlin in mid September of 1917. In 1922 the egg was likely transferred to the Sovnarkom where it was held until it was sold abroad to Michel Norman of the Australian Pearl Company. Between 1922 and 1950 the egg was bought by Emanuel Snowman of Wartski, sold, and bought back by Wartski. The egg was sold again by Wartski around 1974 to an unknown party, was held in a private collection in Switzerland in 1989, and was owned by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1992.[2] When Rainier III died in 2005, Prince Albert II inherited the egg along with the throne. Faberg created a very similar egg in 1902, the Duchess of Marlborough Egg for Consuelo Vanderbilt. This clock egg is larger than the Blue Serpent Clock Egg and is enameled in a pink, rather than blue, color.[2]

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Dispute over egg's dateSome scholars have questioned whether the egg currently held by Prince Albert II is in fact that 1887 Tsar Imperial egg. Lopato in a 1993 article in von Habsburg & Lopato states the price of the Blue Serpent Clock Egg should have been closer to 6000 rubles instead of the 2160 rubles that the Tsar paid for the 1887 egg. She also claims that this egg is too sophisticated and elaborate for the early date to which it is attributed.[2] Another indication that the egg is erroneously identified as the 1887 gift is the fact that the documents available for the 1887 egg all list the egg as containing sapphires. Since those sapphires are not visible on Prince Albert's egg this fact leads some to believe the 1887 egg is missing. In 1995 however, Tatiana Muntian matched this egg with the imperial descriptions, and further research published in Faberg Imperial Easter Eggs in 1997 confirm the date of this egg as 1887.[2] The location of the described sapphires is still a mystery.

See also Egg decorating

References[1] Faber, Toby (2008). Faberg's Eggs The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire. New York, New York: Random House. p.18. ISBN978-1-4000-6559-9. [2] Lowes, Will; McCanless, Christel Ludewig (2001). Faberg Eggs A Retrospective Encyclopedia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press Inc.. p.23. ISBN0-8108-3946-6.

Bouquet of Lilies Clock (Faberg egg)

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Bouquet of Lilies Clock (Faberg egg)The Bouquet of Lilies Clock Egg (or the Madonna Lily Egg) is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1899, for the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II. Tsar Nicholas presented the egg to his wife, the Czarina Alexandra Fyodorovna. The egg is currently located at the Kremlin Armoury in Moscow.

CraftsmanshipThe egg-shaped clock and its rectangular pedestal are decorated with translucent enamel on a guilloch background. The body of the clock is divided into twelve parts which are outlined in diamond-studded stripes. The belt of the dial which revolves around the perimeter of the egg is enameled white with twelve Roman numerals set in diamonds. The hours are indicated by a diamond clock hand shaped like the head of an arrow in a drawn bow. The hand is fixed to an immobile onyx base. The base itself is decorated with rosettes and the date of its manufacture, 1899, is set in diamonds. It is designed as a vase with red-gold scrolls serving as extra supports at either side. A gold key was used to wind the mechanism.

Bouquet of Lilies or Madonna Lily Egg

The clock is crowned with a bouquet of Madonna lilies, carved from onyx. The pistils of the flowers are set with three small rose diamonds, and the leaves and stems are of tinted gold. The egg uses the language of flowers which was well known at the time. The roses were symbols of love and the lilies were a symbol of purity and innocence.

SurpriseThe surprise from this egg is currently missing, but it was a pendant made with ruby and rose-cut diamonds.

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

Caucasus (Faberg egg)

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Caucasus (Faberg egg)The Caucasus Egg is a jewelled enameled Easter egg made by M. Perchin under the supervision of the German jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1893. The egg was made for Alexander III of Russia, who presented it to his wife, the Empress Maria Feodorovna. Currently the egg is located in the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, of Art as part of the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation.

The EggThe egg is made of yellow and varicoloured gold, silver, ruby enamel, rose-cut diamonds, portrait diamonds, platinum, ivory, pearls, rock crystal and watercolour on ivory. It commemorates the Imperial hunting lodge in Abastumani in Caucasus where Grand Duke George spent most of his life after being diagnosed with tuberculosis. Miniatures were done and signed by Krijitski. The miniatures are revealed by opening four pearl-bordered doors around the egg. Each door bears a diamond-set numeral of the year, forming the year 1893. Behind the hinged cover at the top is a portrait of the Grand Duke in his naval uniform. This is the first Imperial egg known to be dated. Ruby red enamel was used only one other time for the Imperial eggs as Alexei's hemophilia was a constant worry for the family.

SurpriseThe surprise for this egg is missing.

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

External links A detailed article on the 'Caucasus' egg from mieks.com [1]

References[1] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ Faberge2/ 1893_Caucasus_Egg. htm

Cherub with Chariot Egg

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Cherub with Chariot EggCherub with Chariot Egg Faberg eggYear delivered Customer 1888 Alexander III, presented to Maria Feodorovna Current owner Individual or Institution Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts Year of acquisition N/A Design and Materials Workmaster Materials used Height Surprise Unknown gold, sapphire, diamonds Unknown Likely a clock inside the egg, shaped like an angel

The Cherub with Chariot Egg or Angel with Egg in Chariot is a Tsar Imperial Faberg egg, one of a series of fifty-two jeweled eggs made under the supervision of Peter Carl Faberg for the Russian Imperial family. It was crafted and delivered in 1888 to the then Tsar of Russia, Alexander III. This is one of the lost Imperial eggs, so few details are known about it.

DesignThe exact design of the Cherub with Chariot Egg is unsure. A single photograph of the egg exists, though it is hidden by another egg and can only be seen in a blurry reflection.[1] There is a brief description from the imperial records in the Russian State Historical Archives in Moscow which describes the gift as "Angel pulling chariot with egg - 1500 roubles, angel with a clock in a gold egg 600 roubles."[2] According to Marina Lopato in Faberg: Imperial Jeweller (1993) this description means the clock is inside the gold egg, which is in the chariot being pulled by the angel.[3] Faberg's invoice carries a similar description, itemizing a cherub pulling a chariot with an egg and a cherub with clock in a gold egg. These two descriptions are backed up by the 1917 inventory of seized imperial treasure which reads "gold egg, decorated with brilliants (diamonds), a sapphire; with a silver, golded [sic] stand in the form of a two-wheeled wagon with a putto."[4]

SurpriseThe surprise would have been the clock being inside the egg on the chariot, though the exact design is not known.

History of the eggThe egg would have been presented to Maria Feodorovna on April 24th, 1888 by Alexander III. The egg was kept in the Gatchina Palace in 1891, and was one of 40 or so eggs sent to the Armory Palace of the Kremlin in 1917 after the Revolution by the Provisional Government.[5] In 1922 it was transferred to the Sovnarkom, after which the exact whereabouts of the egg are unknown. In the 1930's Victor and Armand Hammer may have purchased the egg. A sales catalog for Armand Hammer's 1934 exhibition at Lord and Taylor in New York describes a "miniature silver armour holding wheelbarrow with Easter Egg, made by Faberg, court jeweler" which seems to describe the Cherub with Chariot Egg.[6] Armand Hammer may have been unaware of the significance of this item if it was in fact the 1888 Imperial egg, since he had a habit of promoting imperial items yet did not make an effort to promote this egg. Whether this was the 1888 egg, and where it is today is unknown.

Cherub with Chariot Egg

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See also Egg decorating

References[1] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1888_Cherub_with_chariot_egg. htm [2] Lowes, Will; McCanless, Christel Ludewig (2001). Faberg Eggs A Retrospective Encyclopedia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press Inc.. p.24. ISBN0-8108-3946-6. [3] Lowes, 2001 Pg. 24 [4] Lowes, 2001 Pg. 25 [5] Lowes, 2001 pg. 25 [6] Lowes, 2001 pg. 25

Clover Leaf (Faberg egg)The Clover Leaf Egg is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1902, for the then Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II. Alexander presented it as an Easter gift to his wife, Alexandra Fyodorovna. It is held in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.

CraftsmanshipA pattern of stems and leaves of clover forms the shape of the egg. The gaps between the metal outline of the leaves are covered with transparent bright green enamel. A very thin golden ribbon paved with rubies curls through the foliage.

Surprise

the Clover Leaf Egg

The surprise has been lost but according to archives four leaves with twenty three diamonds and four miniature portraits of the Tsar Alexander's daughters were fixed inside the egg.

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

External links A detailed article on the 'Clover Leaf' Egg from mieks.com [1]

References[1] http:/ / mieks. com/ Faberge2/ 1902-Clover-Leaf-Egg. htm

Colonnade (Faberg egg)

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Colonnade (Faberg egg)Colonnade Faberg eggYear delivered 1910 Current owner Individual or Institution Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts Year of acquisition 1953, inherited from Mary of Teck Design and Materials Workmaster Materials used Height Surprise Henrik Wigstrm Bowenite, gold, silver-gilt, platinum, guilloch enamel, diamond 28 cm. No surprise

The Colonnade egg is a jewelled enameled Easter egg made by Henrik Wigstrm[1] under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1910.[2] The egg was made for Nicholas II of Russia, who presented it to his wife, Alexandra Feodorvna upon the birth of their only son, the tsarevich Alexei .[2] As a clock-egg, the Colonnade egg contained no surprise.

DesignThe Colonnade Egg is made of Bowenite, four-colour gold, silver-gilt, platinum, guilloch enamel and rose diamonds. It is one of only four Faberge Easter Eggs to include a clock in the design. The Colonnade Egg features a rotary clock made by the Swiss firm Henry Moser & Cie.[1] The egg symbolizes a temple of love. A pair of platinum doves represent the love of Nicholas and Alexandra. Four silver-gilt figures surrounding the colonnade represent Nicholas' four daughters.[2] Four silver-gilt cherubs sit around the base of the egg, each representing Nicholas and Alexandra's four daughters: Anastasia, Olga, Maria, and Tatiana. Alexei is represented by a silver-gilt cupid, which surmounts the egg. The cupid is now missing a silver-gilt staff or twig which was held in his right hand and was used to indicate the hour. [2]

HistoryPresented to Alexandra at Eastertide 1910, the Colonnade Egg celebrates the 1904 birth of Alexei, the fifth child and only son of Nicholas and Alexandra. After giving birth to four daughters, the birth of their first and only son was significant because it ensured a direct heir to the throne, rather than succession passing to Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia, the younger brother of Nicholas II.[2] Upon the abdication of Nicholas II and the imprisonment of the family in 1917, the Colonnade Egg was confiscated by the provisional government. It then appears on a 1922 list of confiscated treasures moved from the Anichkov Palace to the Sovnarkom, which was a state-run organization which collected and conserved treasures. In 1927 the Colonnade Egg was sold as one of nine eggs to Emanuel Snowman of London antique dealer Wartski. Two years later it was sold to Queen Mary of Teck and inherited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It remains in the Royal Collection.[1]

Colonnade (Faberg egg)

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See also Faberg egg Egg decorating Tsarevich (Faberg egg)

External links A detailed article on the 'Colonnade' egg from mieks.com [3]

References[1] Royal Collection - Colonnade Egg (http:/ / www. royalcollection. org. uk/ eGallery/ object. asp?theme=CHILDHOOD& object=40084& row=18) [2] Mieks Faberg Eggs (http:/ / mieks. com/ Faberge2/ 1910-Colonnade-Egg. htm) [3] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1910-Colonnade-Egg. htm

Constellation (Faberg egg)

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Constellation (Faberg egg)Constellation Faberg eggYear delivered Unfinished (1917) Current owner Individual or Institution Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts Year of acquisition 2001

Design and Materials Materials used Glass, diamond, quartz

The Constellation Egg is one of two Easter eggs made under the supervision of Peter Carl Faberg in 1917, for the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II. It was the last Faberg egg made. Due to the Russian Revolution of 1917, the egg was never finished or presented to Tsar Nicholas' wife, the Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna. It was found in 2001[1] at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum in Moscow, where it is currently on display.

CraftsmanshipThe egg is made of dark blue glass and is studded with diamonds. It is engraved with the constellations which were in the sky on the day of the Czarevitch Alexei's birth. It rests on a base made of quartz. The egg was supposed to have a silver rim around it, but lacks the original rim, clockwork motion and dial, as well as the larger part of the diamond stars, since it remained unfinished.

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

External links Sketch of Egg: [2] A detailed article on the 'Constellation' Egg from mieks.com [3] An article on the origin of the design for the Constellation Egg. Wartski, London [27]

References[1] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1917-Blue-Constellation-Egg. htm Constellation egg [2] http:/ / andrejkoymasky. com/ liv/ fab/ 57/ const3. jpg [3] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1917-Blue-Constellation-Egg. htm

Danish Palaces Egg

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Danish Palaces EggDanish Palaces Egg Faberg eggYear delivered Customer 1890 Alexander III, presented to Maria Feodorovna Current owner Individual or Institution Year of acquisition Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts 1972 Design and Materials Workmaster Materials used Height Surprise Mikhail Perkhin, miniatures by Konstantin Krijitski mulit-colored gold, pink-mauve enamel, star sapphire, emeralds, diamonds, crimson velvet lining. Screen is multi-colored gold and watercolor on mother of pearl 102mm (4in.) 10-panel screen with watercolor paintings of Danish palaces and imperial yachts

The Danish Palaces Egg is a Tsar Imperial Faberg egg, one of a series of fifty-two jeweled eggs made under the supervision of Peter Carl Faberg for the Russian Imperial family. It was crafted and delivered to the then Tsar of Russia, Alexander III who presented it to his wife, Maria Feodorovna on Easter day 1890. The egg is currently owned by the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation and housed in the Nashville, Tennessee Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art.

Design of eggThe exterior of this egg is pink-mauve enameled gold split into twelve sections. It measures 102mm (4in.) tall by 67mm (25/8in.) wide. Six vertical lines of rose-cut diamonds and three horizontal lines separate the enameled panels from one another.[1] There is an emerald at each intersection of the lines separating the panels, and the egg is crowned with a medallion of radiating leaves around a cabochon star sapphire. The opposite end of the egg is chased with additional acanthus leaves.[2]

SurpriseThe egg opens to reveal a 10-panel screen made of multi-color gold with watercolors on mother of pearl. The panels are framed with a design of tangent circles with a multi-color gold wreath at the apex and stand on Greek meander feet.[2] The watercolors are all signed by Konstantin Krijitski and dated 1889. The paintings depict, from left to right along the screen, the imperial yacht Polar Star; Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen; Estate of Hvidre near Copenhagen' the summer residence of Fredensborg Castle; Bernstorff Palace, Copenhagen; Kronborg Castle, Helsingr; the Cottage Palace, Peterhof; Gatchina Palace near St. Petersburg and the imperial yacht Tsarevna.[3]

History of eggAlexander III received the Danish Palaces Egg from Faberg's shop on March 30, 1890 and presented the egg to his wife, Maria Feodorovna on April 1. The Tsar paid 4,260 silver rubles for the egg. In January of 1893 the egg was housed at the Gatchina Palace and remained there until the 1917 revolution. In 1917 it was transferred with the rest of the imperial eggs sent to the Armory Palace of the Kremlin. During the early part of 1922 the egg was transferred to the Sovnarkom, then moved back to the Armory Palace in the summer of 1927.[4] The Danish Palaces Egg was

Danish Palaces Egg selected along with 11 others for sale outside of Russia in April 1930, and was sold to Hammer Galleries later that year for 1500 rubles. Hammer Galleries advertised the egg for sale in 1935 for $25,000 and was sold between February 1936 and November 1937 to Nicholas H. Ludwig of New York. The egg was owned by a private collector between during the time between 1962 and 1971, when it was found in the collection of deceased Matilda Geddings Gray. Since 1972 the egg has been the provenance of the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation, and is currently on display in the Nashville, Tennessee Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art.

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See also Egg decorating

References[1] Lowes, Will; McCanless, Christel Ludewig (2001). Faberg Eggs A Retrospective Encyclopedia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press Inc.. p.27. ISBN0-8108-3946-6. [2] Lowes, 2001 pg. 27 [3] Lowes, 2001 pg. 27-28 [4] Lowes, 2001 pg. 28

Diamond Trellis EggThe Diamond Trellis Egg is a jewelled enameled Easter egg made by A. Holmstein under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1892.The egg was made for Alexander III of Russia, who presented it to his wife, the Empress Maria Feodorovna. Currently the egg is held in a private collection in London, England.

The EggThe eggs is made of gold, jadeite, rose-cut diamonds, silver and satin. It is carved from pale green jadeite and is enclosed in a lattice of rose-cut diamonds with gold mounts. Originally it had a base of three cherubs said to represent the three sons of the imperial couple, the Grand Dukes Nicholas, George and Michael.

The SurpriseThe surprise was the first Faberge Automaton, an elephant. It was made of ivory, gold, rose-cut diamonds, enamel and brilliant diamonds. The elephant had special significance as an elephant appears in the coat of arms of the Danish Royal Family, Empress Maria Feodorovna's homeland. This surprise is currently missing.

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

Diamond Trellis Egg

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External links A detailed article on the 'Diamond Trellis' egg from mieks.com [1]

References[1] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1892_Diamond_Trellis_Egg. htm

Empire Nephrite (Faberg egg)The Empire Nephrite egg (also known as the Alexander III Medallion egg) is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1902, for Nicholas II of Russia, who presented it to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.[1] The name of the egg refers to the fact that it was made in the Empire Style, from nephrite.[2] It is thought to have had a golden base and was decorated with diamonds and a medallion portrait of Alexander III of Russia. It is one of eight eggs that are currently lost.[2]

See also Faberg egg Egg decorating

References[1] Image of egg (http:/ / andrejkoymasky. com/ liv/ fab/ butt1. gif). [2] 1902 Empire Nephrite Egg (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1902-Empire-Nephrite-Egg. htm), Mieks Faberg Eggs (http:/ / www. mieks. com/ ).

Gatchina Palace (Faberg egg)

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Gatchina Palace (Faberg egg)The Gatchina Palace egg is a jewelled enameled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweler Peter Carl Faberg in 1901, for Nicholas II of Russia. Nicholas II presented it to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, on Easter 1901. The egg opens to reveal a surprise miniature gold replica of the palace at Gatchina, a village 30 miles southwest of St. Petersburg that was built for County Grigorii Orlov and was later acquired by Tsar Paul I. It is one of two imperial Easter eggs held in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

CraftsmanshipThe egg was created by Faberge's workmaster, Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin (Russian, 1860-1903) and is crafted from gold, enamel, silver-gilt, portrait diamonds, rock crystal, and seed pearls. Detailed work around the palace in the surprise shows cannons, a flag, a statue of Paul I (1754-1801), and elements of the landscape. The miniature palace is fixed inside the Egg and cannot be removed, unlike the 1908 Alexander Palace egg, which Faberg would create seven years later for Alexandra Fyodorovna. The dimensions are 4 15/16 x 3 9/16 in. (12.5 x 9.1 cm).

SurpriseThe egg opens to reveal as a miniature gold replica of the palace at Gatchina, the Dowager Empress's principal winter residence outside Saint Petersburg.

OwnershipIn 1920, the egg was in the possession of Alexander Polovtsov who was a former employee at the Gatchina Palace and later started an antique shop in Paris. It is not known how Mr. Polovtsov acquired the egg. In 1930, the egg was sold along with the 1907 Rose Trellis to American Henry Walters and became a part of the Walters Art Museum Collection in 1931. In 1936, the egg was exhibited along with the Rose Trellis at the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland and has been on permanent display since 1952.

See also Faberg egg Rose Trellis (Faberg egg) Egg decorating

External links Walters Art Museum's Collection Page on the Gatchina Palace Egg [1] A detailed article on the Gatchina Palace Egg [2]

Gatchina Palace (Faberg egg)

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References[1] http:/ / www. thewalters. org/ works_of_art/ itemdetails. aspx?aid=4432 [2] http:/ / www. mieks. com/ faberge-en/ 1901-Gatchina-Palace-Egg. htm

Hen with Sapphire PendantHen with Sapphire Pendant Egg Faberg eggYear delivered Customer 1886 Alexander III presented to Maria Feodorovna Current owner Individual or Institution Year of acquisition Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts N/A Design and Materials Workmaster Materials used Height Surprise Unknown gold, sapphire, diamonds Unknown The egg's exact design is unknown, so it is not certain whether the pendant was the surprise or some other feature of the egg was

The Hen with Sapphire Pendant Egg or Egg with Hen in Basket is a Tsar Imperial Faberg egg, one in a series of fifty-two jeweled eggs made under the supervision of Peter Carl Faberg for the Russian Imperial family. It was created in 1886 for Alexander III of Russia, who presented it to his wife, the Empress Maria Feodorovna. It is one of eight eggs that are currently lost.

DesignThe exact design of this egg is not known as there are no known photographs or illustrations of the egg and written descriptions of the egg sometimes conflict one another.[1] The present is described as "a hen of gold and rose diamonds taking a sapphire egg out of a nest" in the imperial archive dated February 15, 1886 through April 24, 1886.[2] The sapphire egg was loosely held in the hen's beak. The hen and the basket were both made of gold studded with hundreds of rose-cut diamonds. The archive of the Russian Provisional Government describes the hen as being silver on a stand of gold, though this description is probably in error since the orders for the 1886 Tsar egg specifically stated the present was to be made of gold.[3]

SurpriseThe surprise was not documented and is unlikely to be discovered as the egg's current whereabouts are unknown.

HistoryThe Sapphire Pendant Egg was sent to Tsar Alexander III on April 5, 1886 from Faberg's workshop. The egg was presented by the Tsar to Tsarina Marie Fedorovna on April 13 of the same year. The egg was housed in the Anichkov Palace until the Revolution. The last documented location of the egg is from the archive of the provisional government's inventory in 1922 when the egg was held in the Armory Palace of the Kremlin. It is not known whether the egg was lost or is currently in private hands.[4]

Hen with Sapphire Pendant

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See also Egg decorating

References[1] Lowes, Will; McCanless, Christel Ludewig (2001). Faberg Eggs A Retrospective Encyclopedia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press Inc.. p.22. ISBN0-8108-3946-6. [2] Lowes 2001, pg. 22 [3] Lowes 2001, pg. 22 [4] Lowes 2001, pg. 22

Imperial Coronation EggThe Imperial Coronation Egg is a jewelled Faberg egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Faberg in 1897 by Faberg ateliers, Mikhail Perkhin and Henrik Wigstrom. The egg was made to commemorate the 1896 Coronation of Czar Nicholas II. The valuable piece of Russian history was then presented as a gift to his spouse, the Tsaritsa, Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna. It was frequently on exhibition at The Hermitage Museum (specifically the Winter Palace) in St. Petersburg, Russia, and also materialized in various museums worldwide, placed in temporary exhibits there. Georges Stein is responsible for the creation of the gold Coronation Coach. It is currently owned by one of the Russian oligarchs, Viktor Vekselberg.

CraftsmanshipThe egg is made from gold, enamelled translucent lime yellow on a guilloch field of starbursts, referencing the cloth-of-gold robe worn by the Tsarina at her Coronation. It is trellised with bands of greenish gold laurel leaves mounted at each intersection by a gold Imperial double-headed eagle enamelled opaque black, and set with a rose diamond on its chest. This pattern was also drawn from the Coronation robe worn by the Empress. A large portrait diamond is set in the top of the egg within a cluster of ten brilliant diamonds; through the table of this stone, the monogram of the Empress can be seen. A smaller portrait diamond is set within a cluster of rose diamonds at the end of the egg, beneath which the date 1897 is inscribed on a similar plaque. The egg was presented, together with a glass-enclosed jadeite stand for the display of the Carriage, at a cost of 5650 rubles.

SurpriseFitted inside a velvet-lined compartment is a precise replica, less than four inches long of the Eighteenth-century Imperial coach that carried the Tsarina Alexandra to her coronation at Moscow's Uspensky Cathedral, created by Georges Stein. The red colour of the original coach was recreated using strawberry coloured translucent enamel and the blue upholstery of the interior was also reproduced in enamels. The coach is surmounted by the Imperial Crown in rose diamonds and six double-headed eagles on the roof; it is fitted with engraved rock crystal windows and platinum tyres, and is decorated with a diamond-set trellis in gold and an Imperial eagle in diamonds at either door. Complete with moving wheels, opening doors, actual C-spring shocks, and a tiny folding step-stair. Missing surprises include an emerald or diamond pendant that hung inside the replica coach, a glass-enclosed jadeite stand for the display of the carriage as well as a stand made of silver-gilt wire.

Imperial Coronation Egg

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HistoryThe Coronation of Czar Nicholas II and his spouse, Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna was the catalyst for the Imperial Coronation Egg's creation, to celebrate the historical event. The Coronation on May 14, 1894, was a day of jubilance and pride in the Romanovs, celebrated by throngs of spectators. The Russian nobles and guests gathered on the Eastern Orthodox day of Dormition, the death of Mary, inside Uspensky Cathedral for the actual Coronation. The throne of the Czar, the former throne of Michael I of Russia was inset with 870 diamonds, rubies, and pearls. The throne of the Czarina, the famous ivory throne of Ivan the Great, also was inset with a vast collection of jewels and rare gemstones.

The last Romanov patriarchs at their Coronation Mass, painting by Laurits Regner Tuxen, 1898

The gold miniature coach, which is removable from the interior of the Coronation Egg, is a replica of Catherine the Great's Gold Coach of 1793 used to transport the last Romanov rulers from ceremony to ceremony on the coronation week. Another artifact used in the coronation from the reign of Catherine was the nine-pound diamond crown made by Jrmie Pauzie in 1762.

The coronation in Moscow on May 26th 1896 was the most opulent celebration which I ever witnessed. It bordered close to the Oriental and lasted for 10 days. In Moscow the cathedral was filled with paintings on gold ground of saints and all priests were dressed in gold robes applied with embroidery and precious stones. A very deep feeling of mysticism was in all the ceremonies and you could feel the tradition of Byzance... And following the prayer for the Emperor he gets up and then is the only person standing at that moment in the whole Russian Empire... To look at all this must have been like a fantastic dream because the sun was shining an all.

- Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse, Brother of Empress Alexandra, Grandson of Queen Victoria[1]

Imperial Coronation Egg

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Past and present ownershipsRoyal originThe Egg was first given to Czarina Alexandra of Imperial Russia on Easter of 1897. The egg was displayed in the Empress' apartment at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, resting in a jewelled carriage. Upon the fall of the Romanov Dynasty, the egg was confiscated by the Provisional Government in 1917 and was listed among the treasures removed from the Anichkov Palace. It was then dispatched to the Kremlin and finally transferred to the Sovnarkom in 1922 for sale.

Further transactionsDuring the Famine of 1921, a wealthy American doctor, Armand Hammer, recovered The Imperial Family, 1913; Left to right, seated: Grand Duchess Marie, Tsaritsa Alexandra; Tsarevitch Alexei; Tsar Nicholas II; Grand Duchess many works of art and priceless antiques that Anastasia; Standing: Grand Duchess Tatiana, Grand Duchess Olga would have been lost in the political upheaval of the Russian Revolution. Hammer, through negotiations, was able to purchase 11 of the Faberg Eg