Fabergé Egg Sells for Record $30.2 Million at Rare Auction
A rare Fabergé egg, known as the Winter Egg, recently achieved a remarkable auction record. Sold for £22.9 million (approximately $30.2 million) at Christie’s in London, this sale marks the highest price ever paid for a Fabergé piece. The auction took place on Tuesday and concluded after a competitive three-minute bidding session.
Historic Significance of the Winter Egg
The Winter Egg was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II in 1913 as an Easter gift for his mother. It is one of only seven remaining Fabergé Imperial Eggs in private hands, with the others either lost or owned by museums. The entire House of Fabergé produced just 50 Imperial Eggs between 1885 and 1916.
A Unique Artistic Creation
- Material: Made of rock crystal, resembling a block of ice.
- Design: Features a platinum and diamond snowflake motif with 4,500 rose-cut diamonds.
- Surprise: Inside contains a tiny hanging basket of wood anemones crafted from white quartz, nephrite, and garnets.
The design of the Winter Egg is credited to Alma Pihl, a female jeweler. Her inspiration came from observing ice crystals forming on a window. Tsar Nicholas II originally bought it for 24,600 rubles, a significant amount reflecting the prestige of Fabergé’s work.
Market Trends and Auction Insights
The record-breaking sale underscores a growing demand for Fabergé pieces, especially Imperial Eggs. Margo Oganesian, head of Christie’s Fabergé and Russian artworks department, described the Winter Egg as “the most spectacular and artistically inventive” of its kind.
Implications of the Auction Result
This recent sale not only exceeded Christie’s pre-sale estimate of £20 million (around $26 million) but also highlighted the rarity of these historical artifacts, as the last Fabergé egg auction occurred over 23 years ago.
Historical Journey of the Winter Egg
After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Winter Egg passed through multiple private collections. It was sold by the Bolsheviks and was acquired by the British antique dealer Wartski for about £450 in the late 1920s. The egg disappeared from public knowledge in the 1970s before resurfacing in 1994 when it sold at Christie’s in Geneva for over 7.2 million Swiss francs (approximately $5.6 million).
This journey through time underscores the ongoing fascination with Fabergé’s work. The Winter Egg not only represents artistry but also serves as a significant artifact reflecting a rich historical tapestry.
With its recent success, the sale of the Winter Egg reinforces the significance of Fabergé creations in the luxury market.
