Faberge Eggs Czar Alexander III and his wife

Faberge Eggs

Czar Alexander III and his wife Czarina Maria Fedorovna celebrated their twentieth anniversary on Easter in 1885. Easter is the most celebrated holiday for those of the Russian Orthodox faith, marking a time of hope and renewed life. So it was that on this very special occasion the Czar wanted a very special gift to present to his wife.

Peter Carl Faberge • The Czar commissioned a young jeweller, Peter Carl Faberge, whose creations were favoured by his wife, to make a truly special gift. This portrait was of him in later life.

The First Faberge Easter Egg On Easter morning, Faberge delivered an enamelled egg with a golden yolk. Inside the yolk was a golden hen, and inside the hen, a miniature royal crown of diamonds and a ruby egg. Maria was completely taken with the gift, which led the Czar to engage Faberge's services every Easter thereafter. The Czar only insisted that each Faberge egg be unique, and contain a surprise befitting of an Empress.

History • Fifty-six Imperial Faberge eggs were made in all, and of those forty-four are accounted for and two others have been photographed. • Faberge Easter eggs were also commissioned by Siberian gold mine owner, Alexander Kelch, but the Imperial Easter egg collection is the most highly valued.

Imperial Faberge eggs

Imperial Faberge Eggs