THE TIMELESS FABERGÉ STORY

The tradition of Easter eggs dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe, when people fasted during Lent. Today, the eggs are made of chocolate, praline, and other edible materials. But the Fabergé eggs were the prettiest of the decorative, of which the Lillies of the Valley Egg, made in 1898, has portraits of Czar Nicholas II with his two daughters and is housed in the Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg.

A Jewel in the History of Luxury

The name of Fabergé is linked with the concepts of luxury, superb diamond-set jewellery, excellent skilled labour and also the myth that was experienced at the court of the last Russian Tsars. The House of Fabergé was started in St Petersburg in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, but its formal inauguration took place when his son, Peter, took over in 1882. The creations of Gustav, which were mainly concerned with the use of the finest craftsmanship, eventually became synonymous with elegance of design and the use of the most innovative colours, as well as the revival of the long-lost skill of enamelling, which would not only win the hearts of the Russian Tsars but also get the entire world to accept it as the standard of luxury.

The Imperial Egg Phenomenon

henomenon
Perhaps Fabergé’s most iconic creations are the Imperial Eggs, which were extravagant and elaborate gifts commissioned by Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II for their wives and mothers during Easter as gifts. Made from precious metals, diamonds, platinum, and gemstones, the eggs also featured, surprise, a miniature portrait, a petite working carriage, or a bejewelled animal. The Imperial Eggs have become a lasting symbol of Russian luxury, worth millions today.

A total of 50 Imperial Eggs were produced; just 43 exist today.
In 2014, one of these eggs was sold at auction for over £20 million after being recently found.

International Fame and Royal Patronage
Fabergé was not only a jeweller to Russia. The House attracted clients from the British Royal Family to the Maharajas of India, including Japanese and Thai royals. The Royal Collection in Britain contains nearly 600 Fabergé items, which include miniature animals, picture frames, boxes, and objets de fantaisie.

The craftsmanship is unparalleled; the quality and inventiveness of goldwork, carving, realism, and brilliant enamels contributed, making them an unmistakable mark of distinction and establishing Fabergé as the premier jeweller for the elite.

Tumult, Survival, and a Dazzling Rebirth

The Russian Revolution of 1917 displaced the Fabergé family, and many of their treasures went into the hands of others during the tumultuous years that followed. The name lived on, surviving the family arriving in Paris, and the name lived on, and licensing products from cologne to fashion. In 1989, Unilever acquired the rights to Fabergé Inc. for $1.55 billion to elevate its global profile, and the trademarks only returned to the Fabergé family in 2007.

Fabergé’s Heritage Council now maintains the legacy of the brand, with an emphasis on creative design and artistry. Part of its comeback involves fun events like the Big Egg Hunt in London, which raised £1.1 million for charitable causes and entered the Guinness World Records with 200 eggs that were never to be outdone, designed by style legends, including Vivienne Westwood.

Fabergé Today: Art Meets Modern Luxury

The Fabergé name now also appears on some of the best contemporary jewellery and watches, including flagship boutiques in New York and Dubai. It has also moved into award-winning horology—the Compliquée Peacock watch, inspired by the infamous 1908 Imperial Egg, won the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2015. In 2025, the Fabergé brand’s rights were purchased for £40 million by tech entrepreneur Sergei Mosunov, signalling the start of a partnership marrying old-world handcraftsmanship with new science.​

Fascinating Fabergé Facts

The moment you step into the wonderful world of Fabergé, you realise this is more than jewellery; it is a living legend, where artistry, history and luxury meet in a dazzling symphony!