By Appointment to
HM Prince Vassilli

Established 1911

By Appointment to
The Russian Court

A Fabergé egg is any one of sixty eight jewelled eggs made by Peter Carl Fabergé and his assistants for the Russian Tsars and private collectors between 1885 and 1917.

Fifty four of the eggs were made for Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II, fifty two of which were presented as Easter eggs.

Seven of the eggs were made for the Kelch family of Moscow.

The eggs are made of precious metals or hard stones decorated with combinations of enamel and gem stones.

The term "Fabergé Egg" has become a synonym of luxury and the eggs are regarded as masterpieces of the jeweler's art.

1846 - Carl Gustavovich Fabergé, born on the 20th of May in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was a Russian jeweller, best known for the fabulous Fabergé eggs, made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials.
1860 - The family moved again to Dresden, and shortly thereafter, he went on a study trip, learning the jeweller’s craft at the House of Friedman in Frankfurt.
1864 - He returned to St. Petersburg and joined his father’s business.
1885 - He became the Tsar’s Court Goldsmith.
1897 - The Swedish court appointed Fabergé Court Goldsmith.
1900 - His work represented Russia at the World’s Fair in Paris.
1917 - Amidst the chaos of the October Revolution, he sold his shares in the company to his employees and fled Russia.
1920 - Died on the 24th of September in Russia at 74 years of age.

The Faberge family originated in France, but the Protestant family fled after the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685.

Eventually, some family members settled in Russia. Peter Carl Faberge was born in 1846. His education and goldsmith apprenticeship were in Germany.

After establishing himself independently in 1866, Carl continued to refine his skills. By age 24, Faberge had inherited his father's jewelry workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia.

For ten years as head of the business, Carl continued to produce goods similar to other jewelry makers.

He also volunteered his time to the Hermitage, a treasury which stored all of the precious objects of the Russian czars, including gold artifacts and ancient treasures.

All of these pieces Carl helped catalog, appraise and repair. He reorganized the business with the help of his able brother Agathon and forever changed the face of jewelry and art.

In 1882 Carl's younger brother Agathon, a trained jeweler full of ideas, appeared on the scene. The two made copies ancient Rusian treasures and sold them.

Eric Kollin, a Finnish craftsman, helped the Faberge brothers make a number of pieces which they decided to feature at a fair in Moscow.

Czar, Alexander III, and his wife, Czarina Maria were in attendance and made a purchase at the Faberge exhibit.

There, Carl Faberge was presented with a gold medal honoring him as "...having opened a new era in jewelry art.

"Until that time, many felt the value of jewelry was intrinsic, based upon the precious metals and stones.

Faberge felt that the artistic creativity and fine craftsmanship of jewelry made it art that transcended bullion value.