How Fabergé Eggs have been given a contemporary twist!

Tell us about the heritage you've inherited.
People often ask me, 'why the French name when Fabergé was a Russia-based company?'. Fabergé is of course a French name, but with a Russian soul and an international reputation. French, because we can trace the family back to the 1600s when they were Huguenots in Northern France. Russian, because the company was 'born' in Russia when Gustav Fabergé founded a jewellery business in St Petersburg, in 1842. Fabergé rose to international fame when Gustav handed over the running of the company to his son, Peter Carl Fabergé (my great-grandfather), in 1872. This was Fabergé's turning point, as it was Peter Carl who brought the company to the attention of the Tsars of Russia, delighting them with bejewelled Fabergé Egg Objects with surprises inside. The level of technical expertise increased every year. However, World War I, followed by the Russian Revolution brought things to a close.


 

Sarah Fabergé 

 

What is your role as a member of the Fabergé Heritage Council?
It is all about interpreting the spirit and ethos of Peter Carl and finding ways to embed it into the heart of the company today. I see my role as linking the past to the present. We are a heritage company, but one that makes jewellery and objects of desire for the 21st century. So it is important not to portray ourselves as 'dusty' or completely locked in the past. As Director of Special Projects, I seek out opportunities for Fabergé and also serve the role of the company’s Ambassador. ​
 

Fabergé Four Seasons Egg
 

I understand that today the focus is more on jewellery and timepieces rather than eggs. Does Fabergé still create their legendary eggs?
Peter Carl described himself as an “artist jeweller”, 'painting' with coloured stones (both precious and semi-precious) and diamonds, combining them with fine guilloché enamel techniques and different coloured golds to create jewellery and objets; we continue this complicated process even today. 
We estimate that Peter Carl’s jewellery company made more than 200,000 items, of which only 50 were the famous Imperial Eggs made for Tsar Alexander III and his son Tsar Nicholas II to present to family members. These 'catwalk' pieces brought Fabergé worldwide fame, creating a desire for Fabergé objects and jewellery among a host of Russian and international clients, including members of the British, European and Thai royal families. Many small egg jewels, charms and bespoke egg objects were created. 
The egg is symbolic to so many cultures. It is hard to say the word Fabergé without thinking of the egg and vice versa; we naturally continue that tradition today. We love making eggs, they are fun to design and wear! We make eggs for all occasions, including Easter! 'Imperial Class' eggs tend to be private commissions, but we do have our Four Seasons Collection. 
 

Could you tell us a bit about Fabergé's eggs today? Where can the eggs be bought and how much would they cost? Have the materials, colours and techniques used changed? How are they custom-made to suit the buyer? 
Our eggs and jewellery can be purchased from the Fabergé boutiques in London or New York, as well as online or from our international partners. The price for egg pendants ranges from £2,000 upto £85,000, but of course we have egg objects too, price on application. We also welcome bespoke orders and take great pleasure in collaborating with clients to assist them in bringing their ideas to life.
Today, we make a variety of egg jewellery (as well as many other items) with a wide choice of styles from traditional to fun, whimsical and modern. Our simple gold egg pendants can be engraved with a personal message, while some eggs contain surprises!
Traditional and modern techniques are combined; some eggs are enamelled and bejewelled, some are carved hardstone or coloured gold. Many, in true Fabergé tradition, include a variety of these techniques with varying degrees of complication to suit individual tastes.

What is your favourite Fabergé egg and why?
It is difficult to choose, but I would say the first Imperial Egg known as the Hen Egg, for its fine craftsmanship and its simplicity on the outside with so many surprises inside. This is where the Fabergé egg story began. Crafted from gold, its opaque white enamelled ‘shell’ opens to reveal its first surprise—a matt yellow-gold yolk. The yolk opens to reveal a multi-hued gold hen, which also opens. Originally, this hen contained a miniature diamond replica of the Imperial Crown, from which a small ruby pendant was suspended. Unfortunately, these last two surprises have been lost.


Sapphire earrings from the 'Summer in Provence' collection

What’s your favourite piece from today’s collections? 
My current favourite is our 'Summer in Provence' suite, which perfectly marries the techniques of the past to create a contemporary collection for women. This suite includes an egg (which together with a bow detaches from the necklace, so that both can be worn separately) a ring, timepiece and earrings.



From the 'Summer in Provence' collection

 

Could you tell us a bit about your personal Fabergé collection?
For the past few years I have been involved in selecting items for our Fabergé Heritage Collection, which we use for reference and occasional display. There is nothing like seeing this fine craftsmanship up close and in all their detail; these items inspire our contemporary collections.
My father Theo Fabergé, who sadly passed away in 2007 after a long illness, was a highly gifted craftsman and I have one or two ornamentally turned (on a lathe) wooden objects created by him, which I treasure above all else. He was and remains my inspiration.

 

How do you marry Fabergé traditions with modern trends?
Of course we take trends into account, but our overall benchmark is to ask ourselves, “Does this dovetail with the ethos of Peter Carl Fabergé? Does it enchant the customer? Does it celebrate the artist jeweller and 'the art of colour'? What would Peter Carl create today?” I feel that the 'Summer in Provence' collection demonstrates this well. 
Our 'Lady Compliquée Peacock Timepiece', inspired by Fabergé’s Peacock Egg, won the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève ‘Hi-Mechanical’ category, while the 'Summer in Provence' timepiece was shortlisted in the jewellery category.
 

The Basket of Flowers Egg. Image courtesy of The FORBES Collection, New York. All Rights Reserved.​

Who are some of the current owners of the legendary Fabergé eggs?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has some. There are some in The Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow, a few with private collectors and of course, many have more recently returned home to Russia and are on display in Viktor Vekselberg’s Fabergé Museum in St Petersburg.
 

How has the market for art changed over the years?
I am not qualified to talk about art in general, but as far as Fabergé is concerned, people are looking for something they can trust. Peter Carl Fabergé, a down-to-earth man, described himself as a shopkeeper. That is what we are. Our customers come from all walks of life and find that creativity and quality in design characterise enduring items that they can gift. The overall message is “our history your legacy”.   


The Zenya Emeral Egg pendant

Other luxury brands and houses have tried to recreate Fabergé eggs. Which has come the closest so far?
Fabergé evokes passion, it is infectious. Many have been inspired and continue to be inspired by Fabergé.