FABERGE EASTER EGG

A Fabergé egg  is a Jeweled egg made by the House of Faberge from 1885 to 1917. Most were miniature eggs that were popular gifts at Easter. Approximately 50 eggs were made; 42 have survivedThe Fabergé Eggs are today more than ever a symbol of rarity, luxury and tradition

The first Fabergé egg was crafted for Tsar Alexander lll , who decided to give his wife, the Empress Maria Fedorovna , an Easter Egg in 1885, possibly to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their betrothal. It is believed that the Tsar’s inspiration for the piece was an egg owned by the Empress’s aunt , Princess Vilhelmine Marie of Denmark , which had captivated Maria’s imagination in her childhood. Known as the Hen Egg, it is crafted from gold. Its opaque white enameled ‘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 contained a minute diamond replica of the Imperial Crown from which a small ruby pendant was suspended. Unfortunately, these last two surprises have been lost.

The Fabergé Imperial eggs are not only splendid and precious on the outside, but also on the inside, each usually containing a surprise. They are unique in appearance and also in theme, each one having a different significance.