Faberge Eggs

The original Faberge Eggs are among the most beautiful, famous and valuable Easter eggs ever created. Only around fifty were ever made, between 1885 and 1917. Some are today in museums, a few are in private collections and a number have been completely lost.

What Are Faberge Eggs?

Faberge eggs are highly intricate, decorated jewelry Easter eggs that were made by the House of Faberge around the beginning of the twentieth century. Each one is unique.

Faberge Eggs:
A Retrospective Encyclopedia

History

Easter is an important festival in the Russian Orthodox church and the exchange of eggs as Easter gifts was traditional. It is often said that in 1885 the Tsar, Alexander III, commissioned Peter Carl Faberge to produce a jewelry egg as a gift for his wife, Maria. Others have argued that the idea did not actually originte from the Tsar himself. Whoever devised the concept, the first Faberge Egg was given by Alexander to Maria in 1885.

This first egg is now known as the Hen Egg and was made from gold and enamel. It appears to be a plain white egg, however opening it reveals a golden "yolk". Inside this is a golden hen which itself contained a ruby crown and pendant (now lost).

The Hen Egg was so successful that Alexander commissioned Faberge to produce one egg a year, each to be different and contain a surprise. After Alexander's death, Tsar Nicholas II (Alexander's son) continued the tradition. As well as giving eggs to his own wife, Alexandra, Nicholas also gave eggs to his mother Maria. The first egg given by Nicholas to Maria was the Twelve Monograms egg.

The Imperial Eggs made for the Tsars are the most famous of the Faberge Eggs, however a few were also made for select private customers including Siberian gold mine owner Alexander Kelch.

The original Faberge eggs are priceless beyond the reach of mere mortals. However it is possible to buy replica Faberge eggs as well as Faberge style decorative eggs inspired by the originals. These are often sold in the form of jewelry and ornaments.