Rare Fabergé Egg Sells for Record £22.9m at London Auction
A rare Fabergé egg has reached a record-breaking price of £22.9 million at an auction in London. This remarkable sale highlights the egg’s exceptional craftsmanship and its historical value.
Details of the Fabergé Egg
The auctioned egg, standing at 8.2 centimeters, was crafted by the renowned jeweler Carl Fabergé. Its design is credited to Alma Theresia Pihl, one of only two female artisans at the prestigious St Petersburg jewelry workshop.
- Materials Used: The egg is made from rock crystal and adorned with rose-cut diamonds.
- Design Features: It features delicate platinum snowflake motifs and opens to reveal a miniature basket of white quartz flowers.
- Historical Context: The Fabergé house produced only 50 Imperial Easter eggs for the Romanov family, making each piece highly coveted.
Historical Significance
This particular egg, known as the Imperial Winter Egg, is one of just seven remaining in private hands. The others are either lost to history or housed in museums and institutions.
Fabergé eggs were created from 1885 through 1917, until Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication marked the end of an era for the Romanov dynasty.
A Record-Setting Auction
The recent auction, held by Christie’s, has set a new world record for Fabergé works. Margo Oganesian from Christie’s remarked on the enduring appeal of such masterpieces.
This sale not only reiterates the exceptional nature of the Imperial Winter Egg but also emphasizes the continued interest in rare collectibles.
