How Did the Russian Faberge Egg Start?
Prior to the Easter of 1883, when Tsar Alexander III had Faberge make a bejeweled egg. Conceived as a gift for his wife, Maria Fiodorovna, Alexander, the father of Tsar Nicolas II, bestowed it to her.
The 69 jeweled Easter eggs were made for Russia’s elite from 1883 to 191 and conjure up the notion of extreme luxury. As the Russian court's official jeweler, Faberge. They are known for their artistic value and also attached mystery. Eight of the original 69 are missing, and hence, the mystery.
Cheering Up the Youngster-
The first egg was made of platinum in the shell and opened up revealing a gold yolk. Having come from Denmark Apparently homesick, Alexander wanted to cheer up Maria. She was born Dagmar of Denmark, a princess. The Danes had some of these eggs and that may be what inspired the creation for the forlorn Tsarina. Having done its job - cheering up the Tsarina - more were made as gifts. Alexander's son continued the tradition.
"The Missing Eggs
In the following years, a total of 52 imperial eggs. That Faberge oversaw became gifts to Maria as well as her daughter-in-law. Out of those, forty-four is accounted for while eight are lost. The number 43 and 44 of the eggs, the ‘Constellation Tsarevich’ and ‘Birch Karelia’. Were never completed because of the Russian Revolution and the Romanov family’s execution. A mystery that haunts art historians for many years. Out of the missing 8 eggs, people at least have an idea of how 5 of them look like. This is because of some existing photographs of the eggs with the Tsar’s family.
However, people never really knew the appearance of the last 3 missing eggs. The only proof of their existence is some records from the House of Faberge. However, a spectacular discovery happened when one of the missing eggs went on display at Wartski. The Third egg from 1887 was exhibited at Wartski in April 2014. The imperial Easter egg is a bejeweled, ridged yellow gold egg. Given to Empress Maria Fiodorovna by Emperor Alexander III for Easter 1887." -
Taken from Fabrege Land, The World's Most Famous Eggs
Why So Special Eggs?
Once the Russian Revolution ended and the Romanov's had been executed, commissions for the family eggs ended. Luxury eggs were then made for a hundred years due to their popular lore. Faberge is known for artistry in jewelry. Each of its pieces are important and the variety and number of pieces astounds. They are even known for their beautiful boxes. The pieces are exquisite. Its eyes were made of sapphire and whiskers were made of platinum. Yet in 1912, the egg was purchased by Britain's Alexandra at a cost of thirty-three pounds,
Gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and emeralds, these are but a few of the precious elements of Faberge design.
Check this out for even more information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Carl_Faberg%C3%A9
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