Fabergé, synonymous of the splendor of the Romanovs

A dozen Easter eggs made by the famous goldsmith will be on view at La Venaria Reale together with 300 other decorative Russian pieces

Venaria Reale, 08/03/12

Gold, gems, diamonds, pearls ... The luxury and splendor of the Romanov finds its highest expression in the Faberge's eggs the Tzar gave to his wife every Easter day. The tradition began in 1885, when Alexander III gave to Maria Fyodorovna a unique piece which hided a surprise inside. Since then, these objects have become one of the hallmarks of the Russian Imperial Court, which was one of the richest in Europe.

Thirteen unique pieces of the famous eggs created by Karl Gustavovich Fabergé are exhibited at La Venaria Reale, in an exhibition that evokes the splendor of the czars through a vast repertoire of decorative objects. These masterpieces of jewelry, are acompanied by more than 300 other Faberge objetcs made at the factory in St. Petersburg, including frames of icons, clocks, inkstands, cigarette cases and female bags. 

All these objects reveal not only the beauty of their materials, but also the skill of the Maison Faberge's masters to work gold, silver, rock crystal and diamonds. Nevertheless, their specialty were enamels, as we can see in the egg carved with enamels and miniatures commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of the reign of Nicholas II.

Precisely, the coronation of the last Romanov -who confessed to his father that "he did not feel prepared to be Tsar"- was the excuse to celebrate one of the most solemn and spectacular celebrations organized by the Russian court. The event was attended by several European princes, including Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, who was fascinated by the splendor of Nicholas II. "Every time the Tsar drank, heralds blew their trumpets while the gunners were firing constantly. In short, a true kingdom of the fairies ".

The exhibition is been organized by La Venaria Reale and The Cultural and Historical Foundation Link of Times, owner of all exhibited pieces. Created in 2004 by Russian tycoon Viktor Vekselberg, the foundation has one of the largest collections of Fabergé, which once belonged to Malcolm S. Forbes. Italy puts the finishing touch to the cultural year Italian-Russian, which has served to show funds of the Hermitage, the Pushkin Museum or The Link of Times Foundation in the country. Faberge alla Venaria will be on view until 9 Novembe. Sol G. Moreno

  • Faberge Workshop. Egg with surprise of "The imperial carriage." Gift of Emperor Nicholas II to his wife Alexandra Fyodorovna on Easter 1897. St. Petersburg. Gold, platinum, silver, diamonds, rock crystal, velvet, enamel paint and foundry. © The Link of Times Cultural and Historical Foundation.

  • Workshop Faberge. Egg. Gift of Emperor Nicholas II to the Mother Empress Maria Fyodorovna on Easter 1900. St. Petersburg. Gold, diamonds, pearls, nightsticks, guilloche enamel, cast and recorded. © The Link of Times Cultural and Historical Foundation.

  • Fabergue Workshop. Egg of the fifteenth anniversary of the reign of Tsar Nicholas II. Gift of Emperor Nicholas II to his wife Alexandra   Fyodorovna on Easter 1911. St. Petersburg. Gold, diamonds, enamel miniature carving, watercolor, glass and carvings. © The Link of Times Cultural and Historical Foundation.

  • View of one of the exhibition rooms. Right, the egg with key A.F. Kelch gave to his wife on Easter 1904.

Faberge Workshop. Egg with surprise of "The imperial carriage." Gift of Emperor Nicholas II to his wife Alexandra Fyodorovna on Easter 1897. St. Petersburg. Gold, platinum, silver, diamonds, rock crystal, velvet, enamel paint and foundry. © The Link of Times Cultural and Historical Foundation.