Collectables -> Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles
Almost everyone has heard some reference to a Faberge egg, though many people simply think it’s some sort of fancy, jeweled egg, without realizing the history behind it or its true value. Carl Faberge designed the first of these eggs in 1885, for the Russian Czar, Alexander III. Alexander wanted to give it to his wife as an Easter gift, and commissioned Faberge and his goldsmiths to create the egg. After that, a new egg was created almost yearly to be given to the Czar’s wife. His son even carried on the tradition, giving his wife and his mother, after Alexander’s death, a new creation each spring.
What made the first Faberge egg special wasn’t just that it was made from gold, but because once the egg was opened, a surprise was revealed. The first one held a golden yolk, which contained a golden hen, which contained a small crown with a ruby, in the tradition of Russian nesting dolls. After this, all the eggs made for the Czar had to contain a surprise. These eggs are known as the Imperial eggs, of which 44 still exist, and were the most extravagant ones created by Faberge and his craftsmen.
Faberge made more for private collections, but only 69 eggs in total were made, and as far as anyone knowns, only 61 still exist. These are museum pieces, commanding up to millions of dollars in value, with almost half them kept in Russia. The Faberge egg became little more than spoils of war in the 1920s, when Stalin has many sold. Until Carl Faberge died in 1920, not long after fleeing to Switzerland when the Bolsheviks seized power, the House of Faberge had created more than just eggs, but pieces that command millions of dollars at auction today.
The term Faberge egg is often used to describe any kind of whimsical, gilded or jeweled egg statue, often with a surprise inside the egg. While some of these may be beautiful, the reproductions of the actual Faberge eggs are the most sought out, and can command hundreds to thousands of dollars each, depending on the amount of gold used, and the original egg that it represents.
Of the eggs made by Faberge, the Imperial eggs are the ones most often created in reproduction, because they’re considered the most beautiful. The eggs that followed often mimicked those designs and were less original, so the Imperial collection is widely believed to be the most important. A reproduction Faberge egg makes a beautiful conversation piece, and allows us to appreciate the beauty and artistry that was created so long ago.
You can find a reproduction Imperial Faberge egg in a variety of places, though eBay and online sellers are easier to find than local stores that sell these gems. The most affordable versions are the miniature reproductions, which capture the colors and style of the original eggs in a smaller size. These allow you to collect several of the eggs and display them together in a relatively small space.
Originally posted 2008-11-12 05:00:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Cairn Terrier Collectibles Collectibles -> Animals -> Dog-> Cairn Terrier For those that love this intrepid breed, cairn terrier collectibles are a wonderful expression of their devotion. Whether you are shopping for yourself, or you need a gift for a lover of this breed, there are countless types of cairn terrier collectibles that...... -
Collectible Pez Dispensers 101 There are a number of collectible Pez dispensers out there, including modern collectible Pez dispensers and vintage collectible Pez dispensers alike. Most of the Pez dispensers that were made after the year 1987 have small plastic lips on the bottom of the stem that act as feet, and these were...... -
Thomas Kinkade Collectables -> Collectibles -> Disneyana Thomas Kinkade is a living, American artist whose work is so popular today that many people have no idea they even have Thomas Kinkade artwork in their homes in some form or another. There seems to be no middle ground when it comes his...... -
Beginning the Art of Collecting Wine The purpose of this article is simply to provide you with some tips for the art of collecting wine. If you are thinking about beginning your own wine cellar or simply putting together a hobby of collecting wine, then the following tips should prove useful to you. Keep in mind...... -
Finding Collectibles Online Everybody has some kind of special item that has been in the family for as long as anyone can remember. It might be a vase, an antique jar or some other special collectible. As far as we can tell, its been handed down from one generation to the next, and......
Related Websites -
Chinese Chest Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese: Chests A Chinese chest can improve the look of any room, in addition to providing storage space and serving as a conversation piece, especially if it's an antique. A chest can function as more than just storage, it can be used as a coffee or...... -
101 ways to reduce your spending and keep more of your money Here are 101 areas where it's easy to make cuts that will allow you to keep more of your money. Since this article is long, it's broken it down into sections. Browse through the whole thing, or use the links below to jump to the sections that interest you most....... - Casino Companies Are Betting Big on Macau When America's largest casino companies looked at the world's emerging gambling scene, it wasn't Pennsylvania where they placed their biggest bets. Instead, MGM Mirage Inc. and Wynn Resorts Ltd. are pouring money into Macao, a tiny peninsula on the southeastern tip of China. And while the Las Vegas Sands Corp.......
-
Update Beneficiary Designations in Retirement Plan Documents Many members of the baby boomer generation are experiencing significant and perhaps abrupt transitions in their family status. Their children have left home to lead independent lives. Spouses have retired or perhaps even moved on to become ex-spouses. Changes in boomer families can create a need for changes in your...... -
creepy and hatboy - the supervillain convention /caption]this selection is a direct continuation from the mystery of the pizza delivery drivery murders. st. alia’s visit she shoved through the front door, stamped into the loungeroom and demanded to know why we hadn’t been answering the phone. we told her about our competition and she sniffed the......
