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Fabergé was an eminent Russian jewellery firm known for its objets d’art and enamelling, although certainly most famous for creating elaborate bejewelled Easter Eggs for the Russian Imperial family. It is for exacting craftsmanship and innovative design that works of Carl Fabergé are still so highly collectable today. Works of art by Fabergé date back to the 19th century, when the firm was founded by Gustav Fabergé in Saint Petersburg in 1842. In 1882 control of the company was taken over by Gustav’s son, Carl, later appointed as master goldsmith to the Tsar. The company became one of the jewels of the Russian Empire, its fine works of art known and sought for around the world.
In 1885 Carl Fabergé was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III to make an Easter egg as a gift for his wife, the Empress Maria Feodorovna. It was to be the first of over 50 jewelled Imperial Easter eggs created by the House of Fabergé. Between 1907 and 1917, over 10,000 objects by Fabergé were sold in London alone.
Fabergé became a fast favourite of the stylish elite around the world, including Alexandra of Denmark, Queen Consort of England. The style of Fabergé was based on a combination of earlier styles, including Louis XVI, Empire, Gothic, Renaissance, Persian, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese. These influences were imbued with a specific Russian feeling, adding lightness and elegance to the styles of previous centuries. Throughout his time leading the Fabergé firm, Carl Fabergé insisted that any piece that did not meet his rigorous standard of perfection would be destroyed.
Producing a full range of jewellery and other objets d’art, quality of which was approved by Carl Fabergé personally, the company won international awards and became Russia’s largest jewellery firm with 500 craftsmen and designers. At its peak, craftsmen worked in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Odessa, and Kiev.
Bentley & Skinner have a fine collection of jewellery and objets d’art by Fabergé workmasters Michael Perchin, Henrik Wigström, Feodor Afanassiev, August Hollming, Viktor Aarne, Erik Kollin, Edward Schramm, August Holmström, and Albert Holmström; made between 1895 and 1917. Among the Bentley & Skinner collection are miniature egg pendants, delicate miniature frames, boxes, cases, brooches, and more.
