A Royal Easter Gift: The Story Of Russia's Faberg Eggs

Prior to the Revolution and establishment of a Communist regime in Russia, religious celebrations were very important to the Russian people. Easter was celebrated more widely than it is in the present day, and the royal family, the Romanovs, even established a tradition of gifting each other eggs. Not just any ordinary eggs but intricately decorated, enamelled and jewel-encrusted works of art.

House of Fabergé

When the company was founded by Gustav Fabergé in 1842, the name was still unheard of. It was only when Gustav’s son, Karl, took over the firm did it rise to prominence. The company became involved in restoring objects for the Hermitage Museum and, as a result, was invited to participate in a Moscow Exhibition. There, luck was on Fabergé’s side, and their works were noticed by Emperor Alexander III; thus, the Fabergé workshop became associated with the Russian crown. The workshop grew and gradually employed over 500 people. Talented jewellers and craftsmen worked hard to design the many creations of the Fabergé brand, among which the most outstanding and memorable are, of course, the Fabergé eggs.

Easter egg collection

The fate of Fabergé eggs

Following the Revolution, the House of Fabergé saw a swift decline. Following the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II and the murder of his whole family, the entirety of the royal wealth came into the hands of the Communists. As a result, many Fabergé eggs were sold off overseas and were later retraced to private collections. Karl Fabergé had also shut down his company and moved to Europe where he died in 1920. Luckily, some Fabergé eggs have found their way home, and the collection is shared between Moscow and St Petersburg. The Armoury Museum of the Kremlin houses about ten Faberge eggs and in St Petersburg, the Fabergé Museum is home to a large Fabergé collection, which not only includes the Easter eggs but also other objects produced by the famous jewellers.

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