A remarkable Fabergé egg, commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II, has achieved a world record sale price of £22.9 million at a London auction. This stunning artifact, known as the Winter Egg, measures 10 centimeters in height and showcases an intricate snowflake design made from platinum, embellished with 4,500 sparkling diamonds.
Historic Auction and Record Sale
The auction took place at Christie’s, where the Winter Egg set a record for the third time. Previously, the highest auction price for a Fabergé egg was £8.9 million in 2007, for one crafted for the Rothschild banking family.
About the Winter Egg
The Winter Egg was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II in 1913 as an Easter gift for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. Designed by Alma Pihl, this exquisite piece is one of only two eggs Pihl created. The other piece is part of the UK royal family’s collection.
The egg is renowned for its hidden surprises. It opens to reveal a delicate basket of quartz flowers that symbolize the arrival of spring, representing themes of resurrection and renewal closely tied to Easter celebrations.
Significance of Fabergé Eggs
- Fabergé crafted over 50 imperial eggs between 1885 and 1917.
- Each egg is unique and features elaborate designs.
- Only 43 imperial Fabergé eggs have survived, with most housed in museums.
The Romanov royal family ruled Russia for three centuries until the 1917 revolution led to their ousting. Tsar Nicholas II and his family faced tragic fates, being executed in 1918.
The Journey of the Winter Egg
After its original creation, the Winter Egg changed hands several times. It was acquired by a London dealer for a mere £450 during the 1920s, when Soviet authorities sold off cultural artifacts. It was long considered lost until it re-emerged at a Christie’s auction in 1994, and again in 2002, each time achieving record-breaking bids.
Margo Oganesian, head of Christie’s Russian art department, described the Winter Egg as the “Mona Lisa” of decorative arts, underscoring its outstanding craftsmanship and design. This particular egg remains one of the most inventive examples created for the Imperial family, making its recent sale all the more historic.
