"QUANTUM SHOT" #380link - article by Avi Abrams
Nestled Wonders (with the Easter Egg Surprises Inside)
Russian jeweller of a Baltic German descent, Peter Carl Faberge, has been consistently creating incredibly intricate Easter eggs for the Russian Imperial Court between 1885 and 1917.
These rare and unique "objects of desire" had the cover of enameled gold and gem stones, which would open to reveal hidden wonders inside - sometimes a golden yolk, or a delicately sculpted figure, or other mechanical inserts - all nestled in many levels like a traditional Russian matryoshka doll. As it is only fitting for an Easter Egg, each one contained a surprise! (could it be that the modern term "easter egg surprise" originated at the Russian court?)
Here is a list of every known Faberge egg in existence (only sixty one of them survived), each design uniquely different and eminently collectible. The advent of Bolshevik's Revolution has put a resolute stop to the production of jeweled eggs in Russia... as it put a stop to just about any traditional creative activity for decades.
Some eggs featured an exquisite built-in clock, some were placed among even more elaborate gold & gemstones figures - like royal carriage models, or arrangements of bejeweled flowers. Most concealed a mechanism of some kind, so it's quite fascinating to see them in action - a true wonder of miniature engineering and microscopic art.
There were eggs to commemorate the coronation of Czar Nicholas II, the completion of the Trans Siberian Railway, and many Royal anniversaries. There were eggs depicting the Imperial yacht, the Uspensky Cathedral, the Gatchina Palace, and during the time of war, the Red Cross and the military.
To get an idea what kind of the prices are asked for Faberge's works in prime condition, the following egg is known to have been auctioned at $18 million dollars. It is an unrecorded egg, not found in most catalogs... which makes the asking price even more astonishing (more info) -
(image credit: Robert Catalano)
Note the level of miniaturization in this example: Gatchina Palace Egg, 1901 -
(image credit: Mary Harrsch)
The Regis Galerie inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas boasts a few Faberge Eggs on display:
(image credit: tsaiware)
Also see this fine flickr set for additional egg pictures.
Some jewelry that accompanied these eggs is also worth mentioning:
Even today the style and workmanship of jewelers at the Russian Imperial Court continue to inspire artists and architects: see for example The Grand Lisboa structure in Macau, China -
(image credit: James A)
Sources: The Faberge Experience, Russian Gifts
CONTINUE TO THE "BEST OF RUSSIA" SERIES! ->
Also Read: Miniature Palaces and Dollhouses
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Category: Art,Vintage
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