These highly collectible objects were manufactured under the supervision ofPeter Carl Fabergebetween 1885 and 1917.
Known as theHen egg, the opaque white enameled shell opens to reveal a shining yellow-gold yolk.
The only requirement was that each egg had to be unique and contain a hidden surprise.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Evdoha_spb/Shutterstock
Russian Imperial family, 1913.
It pays homage to the highest military decoration of the Russian Federation.
Lilies of the Valley egg, 1898.
Russian Imperial family, 1913. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
When the Bolsheviks seized St. Petersburg in 1917, the three-century-long Romanov family rule came to a brutal end.
They were imprisoned and later executed, leaving behind their 50 Faberge eggs, created between 1885 and 1916.
Third Imperial egg, 1887.
First “Hen” egg, 1885 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
Rosebud egg, 1895.
In 1927, Joseph Stalin sold many of the eggs to buyers outside of Russia.
The second largest collection of Faberge eggs belonged to Malcolm Forbes and was displayed in New York City.
“Lilies of the Valley” egg, 1898. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
However, just before the auction began, the entire collection was purchased by Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg.
His collection is available to view at the Faberge Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Renaissance egg, 1894.
“Third Imperial” egg, 1887. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
Gatchina Palace egg, 1901.
Now on view at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
In 2015, the company announced theFaberge Pearl egg: the first Imperial-style egg in 100 years.
“Rosebud” egg, 1895. (Photo: Михаил Овчинников viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
The stunning design features a mother-of-pearl exterior, 39 white pearls, 3,305 diamonds, and yellow gold details.
It opens to reveal a unique 12.17-carat grey pearl hand-sourced from the Arabian Gulf.
Today, Faberge eggs have become symbols of power and wealth, and have stirred up countless treasure hunts.
“Memory of Azov” egg, 1891 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
Check out theFaberge websiteto see how these precious family heirlooms have been adapted into a modern jewelry line.
Peter the Great egg, 1903.
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons)
Rose Trellis egg, 1907.
“Renaissance” egg, 1894. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Order of St. George egg, 1916.
“Gatchina Palace” egg, 1901. Now on view at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
“Peter the Great” egg, 1903. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons)
“Rose Trellis” egg, 1907. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
“Order of St. George” egg, 1916. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
