Artists & Artisans
Fabergé
The House of Fabergé is a renowned artisan company celebrated for its association with opulence, refinement and artistic mastery. Founded in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé in St. Petersburg, Russia, the firm has a remarkable and captivating legacy. Widely acclaimed for crafting the exquisite and gem-adorned Fabergé Eggs for the Russian Czars, as well as a myriad of other awe-inspiring works of art, the name Fabergé has long been synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship and luxury.
Origins
Gustav Fabergé, originally from Estonia, received his early education in the art of goldsmithing from his father in Germany. He eventually relocated to St. Petersburg, where he established his own jewelry workshop. Through his exceptional craftsmanship, Gustav quickly garnered a reputation for producing pieces of unparalleled quality. In 1860, Gustav's son, Carl Fabergé, joined the business, bringing new ideas and skills to the House of Fabergé.
Legendary Eggs
When Carl Fabergé assumed full ownership of the House of Faberge in 1882, the business entered a new era of prosperity. Despite already possessing a well-established reputation for crafting exquisite and distinctive jewelry, Carl recognized the need for the House of Fabergé to differentiate itself further from its competitors. With a visionary spirit, he embarked on a journey to create something truly iconic and unparalleled – the legendary Imperial Easter Eggs, now famously known as Fabergé Eggs.
Each of these remarkable eggs was a breathtaking work of art, with intricate and mesmerizing designs adorned with precious metals and gemstones. Over a span of 33 years, Carl Fabergé produced a total of 50 of these extraordinary creations, all exclusively crafted for Czar Alexander III and his esteemed family. The act of presenting these magnificent eggs to the Russian Monarch became an integral part of the House of Fabergé‘s prestigious reputation, cementing its position as the epitome of artistic brilliance in the world of jewelry and craftsmanship.
Russian Revolution
The House of Fabergé flourished and expanded until the Russian Revolution of 1917, when Carl Fabergé and his family were forced to flee Russia, leaving behind the company they had built. In their absence, many Fabergé treasures were lost or destroyed. Items of silver and gold were melted down to mint ingots and rubles during economic unrest. The few pieces known to exist are indeed extraordinary reminders of this significant period in world history.
Today, pieces can be found in museums, with relatively few examples finding their way to the open market. From dazzling pendants to jeweled canes and a captivating array of gold and silver objects, these cherished pieces stand as a testament to the epitome of the Russian decorative arts as well as the life of one of the most talented and widely-respected artisans in history.
Ill-Fated Revival
In the mid-20th century, the Fabergé brand experienced a revival under the ownership of Samuel Rubin, an American entrepreneur who acquired the rights to the Fabergé name. Rubin introduced a range of contemporary Fabergé jewelry, including a successful line of fragrances and colognes. Unfortunately, these offerings deviated from the artistic essence that defined the original Fabergé creations, causing collectors to dismiss the new products.
Legacy
The Fabergé name continues to be held in exceptional esteem by collectors and enthusiasts of fine jewelry, with the Imperial Easter Eggs retaining their status as highly coveted and priceless masterpieces of art. In recent years, the Fabergé brand has experienced yet another revival, this time under the ownership of Gemfields, a specialized mining company renowned for its colored gemstones. The contemporary Fabergé firm focuses on creating jewelry that seamlessly blends modernity and innovation while staying true to the original company's spirit and artistry.
The enduring legacy of the Fabergé company can be seen in the works of numerous contemporary jewelry designers who draw inspiration from its intricate designs and meticulous attention to detail. The Fabergé name will forever remain synonymous with luxury, elegance, and groundbreaking creativity, leaving an indelible mark for generations to come.Artists & Artisans
Fabergé
The House of Fabergé is a renowned artisan company celebrated for its association with opulence, refinement and artistic mastery. Founded in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé in St. Petersburg, Russia, the firm has a remarkable and captivating legacy. Widely acclaimed for crafting the exquisite and gem-adorned Fabergé Eggs for the Russian Czars, as well as a myriad of other awe-inspiring works of art, the name Fabergé has long been synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship and luxury.
Origins
Gustav Fabergé, originally from Estonia, received his early education in the art of goldsmithing from his father in Germany. He eventually relocated to St. Petersburg, where he established his own jewelry workshop. Through his exceptional craftsmanship, Gustav quickly garnered a reputation for producing pieces of unparalleled quality. In 1860, Gustav's son, Carl Fabergé, joined the business, bringing new ideas and skills to the House of Fabergé.
Legendary Eggs
When Carl Fabergé assumed full ownership of the House of Faberge in 1882, the business entered a new era of prosperity. Despite already possessing a well-established reputation for crafting exquisite and distinctive jewelry, Carl recognized the need for the House of Fabergé to differentiate itself further from its competitors. With a visionary spirit, he embarked on a journey to create something truly iconic and unparalleled – the legendary Imperial Easter Eggs, now famously known as Fabergé Eggs.
Each of these remarkable eggs was a breathtaking work of art, with intricate and mesmerizing designs adorned with precious metals and gemstones. Over a span of 33 years, Carl Fabergé produced a total of 50 of these extraordinary creations, all exclusively crafted for Czar Alexander III and his esteemed family. The act of presenting these magnificent eggs to the Russian Monarch became an integral part of the House of Fabergé‘s prestigious reputation, cementing its position as the epitome of artistic brilliance in the world of jewelry and craftsmanship.
Russian Revolution
The House of Fabergé flourished and expanded until the Russian Revolution of 1917, when Carl Fabergé and his family were forced to flee Russia, leaving behind the company they had built. In their absence, many Fabergé treasures were lost or destroyed. Items of silver and gold were melted down to mint ingots and rubles during economic unrest. The few pieces known to exist are indeed extraordinary reminders of this significant period in world history.
Today, pieces can be found in museums, with relatively few examples finding their way to the open market. From dazzling pendants to jeweled canes and a captivating array of gold and silver objects, these cherished pieces stand as a testament to the epitome of the Russian decorative arts as well as the life of one of the most talented and widely-respected artisans in history.
Ill-Fated Revival
In the mid-20th century, the Fabergé brand experienced a revival under the ownership of Samuel Rubin, an American entrepreneur who acquired the rights to the Fabergé name. Rubin introduced a range of contemporary Fabergé jewelry, including a successful line of fragrances and colognes. Unfortunately, these offerings deviated from the artistic essence that defined the original Fabergé creations, causing collectors to dismiss the new products.
Legacy
The Fabergé name continues to be held in exceptional esteem by collectors and enthusiasts of fine jewelry, with the Imperial Easter Eggs retaining their status as highly coveted and priceless masterpieces of art. In recent years, the Fabergé brand has experienced yet another revival, this time under the ownership of Gemfields, a specialized mining company renowned for its colored gemstones. The contemporary Fabergé firm focuses on creating jewelry that seamlessly blends modernity and innovation while staying true to the original company's spirit and artistry.
The enduring legacy of the Fabergé company can be seen in the works of numerous contemporary jewelry designers who draw inspiration from its intricate designs and meticulous attention to detail. The Fabergé name will forever remain synonymous with luxury, elegance, and groundbreaking creativity, leaving an indelible mark for generations to come.
