Sunday, February 16, 2014

Fabergé Eggs

Along with Matroyshka dolls, Fabergé Eggs are also iconic examples of what comes to mind when thinking of Russia.

The Rose Trellis egg, 1907

The original Imperial Fabergé Eggs were a small number of jeweled eggs created by Peter Carl Fabergé between 1885 and 1917.  Only about 50 eggs were made, and only 42 have survived.  The most famous of these eggs were made for the Russian Tsars, Alexander III and Nicholas II as Easter gifts for their wives and mothers.

Peter the Great egg, 1903

Two unfinished eggs were planned for delivery for Easter of 1918, but the Russian Revolution caused the Fabergé family to flee to Latvia and then Germany.  The Fabergé name has been sold several times, and still exists today with various companies producing clothing and cologne, as well as egg-themed jewelry.

Gatchina Palace egg, 1901

The eggs are elaborately designed, extremely well crafted, and open up to reveal something inside. Sometimes, the inner layer would also open up to reveal yet another surprise.

Memory of Azov, 1891

On our walk into Adler, and in the store that contained all the Matroyshka dolls that I showed in a previous post, we also found some Fabergé style egg souvenirs.

Souvenir Fabergé-style eggs

I picked up one of these, and another Fabergé egg style pendant for Susan (surprise!).

1 comment:

  1. The eggs with the little Onion Domes inside are so cute!

    Alicia =0)

    ReplyDelete