While the House of Fabergé is best known for creating the lavishly ornate and intricately devised Imperial Easter eggs given by the last czars to their families as annual holiday gifts, it was the most prestigious Russian luxury goods maker of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Serving the aristocracy and the well-to-do through stores in St. Petersburg, Moscow and as far afield as London, Fabergé crafted a wide range of brooches and other jewelry, clock cases, silver and myriad objets de vertu that included picture frames, cigarette cases, cufflinks and carved hardstone floral and animal figurines. Following the revolution, the firm was closed by the Soviet state in 1918.
Master goldsmith Gustav Fabergé, a descendant of Huguenot emigrées, founded the company in St. Petersburg in 1842. The firm did a brisk trade among the lesser nobility and the merchant class, but it flourished under the guidance of Gustav’s eldest son Peter Carl Fabergé — known also as Karl Gustavovich Fabergé — who took over in 1872.
Cosmopolitan, widely-traveled and himself a master goldsmith — he was sent on a Grand Tour in the 1860s — the younger Fabergé drew early design inspiration when he volunteered to catalogue and restore pieces in the imperial jewelry collection in the Hermitage.
Fabergé pieces based on historical jewelry from the Hermitage caught the attention of Czar Alexander III at a Moscow exhibition in 1882, and three years later he commissioned the first Imperial Easter egg as a gift for the czarina. Czar Nicholas II continued the tradition, presenting two eggs each Easter — one for his wife and one for his mother.
Relatively simple in design compared to the complex cloisonné-adorned eggs that followed, the first Fabergé egg was a white-enameled ovoid containing a gold “yolk” that held a gold hen, which in turn contained a replica of the imperial crown from which hung an egg-shaped ruby pendant.
As the appointed goldsmith to the royal court, the House of Fabergé became the darling of Russian aristocrats as well as wealthy patrons across Europe. Many and varied objets — hundreds of thousands by one count — were made to meet their demand. The firm employed some 500 craftsmen and designers when it was shuttered.
After the Russian Revolution, the Fabergé name and trademark endured a checkered passage through the 20th century.
Family members left their homeland in 1918 and set up a new business in Paris that was mainly concerned with repairing and restoring earlier-made wares. The name was adopted by an American fragrance and beauty products maker in the late 1930s, and later authorized by the family in a 1951 agreement. The trademark has been subsequently sold several times, and attached to numerous products including jewelry.
Fabergé pieces are richly redolent of a romantic past, and a source of thorough delight — for connoisseurs, true Fabergé refers to items made in the firm’s brief, golden decades from 1885 to 1917.
Collectors are advised to make a study of Fabergé works in museum collections such as the Victoria & Albert and the Royal Collection in London to gain an understanding of the quality of genuine goods made by the original firm, and then to purchase only from reputable and reliable dealers, such those at 1stDibs.
Find Fabergé eggs for sale and other objects and vintage jewelry on 1stDibs.
Fabergé Antique Bi-Color Gold Cigarette Case, Circa 1896-1908, Russia
By Fabergé
Located in Capri, IT
1896 - 1908 Circa Yellow and Rose Gold Faberge Cigarette Case. Workmaster August Hollming, ST Petersburg with scratched inventory number 5695. ...
Fabergé 18 Kt Gold Egg Red Enamel with Gold Stand, Emeralds, Sapphires, Diamonds
By Fabergé
Located in BARI, IT
Rare Fabergé gold egg with its gold stand. It is decorated with red guilloche enamel and precious stones: emeralds (0.40 carats), sapphires (3.15 carats), d...
Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Gold, Enamel
Edwardian Faberge Chalcedony Enamel Gold Bell Push
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
An important Faberge chalcedony, gold and enamel bell push, enamelled translucent blush and pearl grey with sunburst guilloche background, with circular cabo...
Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
Faberge Gold, Enamel and Hardstone Desk Seal
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A Fabergé gold, enamel and hardstone desk seal, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, 1904-1908 the spherical handle carved of aventurine quartz, the co...
Carnelian, Quartz, Gold, Enamel
Fabergé 18 Kt Gold Frame with Red Enamel
By Fabergé
Located in BARI, IT
Small 18 kt gold frame with guilloche red enamel and small gold decorations inserted on the edge. Limited edition no. 21/300. It has its original certi...
Gold, Enamel
$607
H 3 in W 2.87 in D 0.37 in
Early 20th Century Antique Silver Enamel Figures in Garden Scene Compact
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Antique enamel and 800 silver compact. The rectangular top is enclosed by a rocaille scrollwork border with faux-lapis lazuli and faux-turquoise enamel inlay, centering a scene of a ...
Silver, Enamel
French, Cigar Shaped Onyx Desk Seal with Diamond Collar & Morocco Leather Case
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This exquisite desk object was crafted in France during the early 20th Century and would have been an impressive object to own. The desk seal is crafted from a cigar shaped piece of black onyx which features a diamond set collar to one end and a monogram intaglio 'seal' to the other, all circa 1915. The monogram is 'AMF' which has been beautifully engraved into the underside of the seal. The piece retains its original Morocco leather fitted box signed 'Appay', a French manufacturer, and embossed 'AMF' to the top of the lid. The firm Appay were retailing at 24 Rue De La Paix in Paris which is close-by the Place Vendome and also the Opera, however little information is known about the business. The hinge on the Morocco leather box...
Diamond, Onyx
Frascarolo, 18K Gold Diamond Emerald Enamel Deer Desk Clock
By Frascarolo
Located in New York, NY
This artistic clock features a beautifully crafted enamel deer design, lively and charming, as if leaping through nature. Created by the Frascarolo brand, this piece is a classic fro...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel
Rare Qajar Gold and Enamel Parasol Cane Handle
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Rare Qajar Gold and Enamel Parasol Cane Handle A very rare Persian, Qajar, polychrome enamelled gold cane handle, of cylindrical form, decorated with fl...
Gold, Enamel
$46,300 / set
H 14 in W 19 in D 12 in
Margaret Thatcher and State of Qatar, Garrard & Co. Silver Gilt Presentation Set
By Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in Long Island City, NY
Margaret Thatcher and State of Qatar, Garrard & Co. Silver Gilt Presentation Set, London, 1983. MARK OF GARRARD LTD, LONDON, 1983 A Three piece Elizabeth II, silver and silver ...
Silver
Fabergé Polar-Bear Egg, 18k White Gold, Turquoise Enamel, Diamonds, Rock Crystal
By Fabergé
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Fabergé Polar Bear-Egg Object, 18k White Gold, Turquoise Guilloché Vitreous Enamel, Diamonds 0.17 ct G VS, White Topaz, Sardonyx, Rock Crystal The Polar Bear Egg, created in 2003, captures the brilliance and clarity of the Arctic winter. The egg is made of 18k white gold and covered with multiple layers of turquoise translucent vitreous enamel on a guilloché ground, producing a luminous icy shimmer. It is crowned with a prominent conical white topaz and decorated with numerous stylised ice-crystal motifs in white gold. The opener, also shaped as an ice crystal, is set with brilliant-cut diamonds. When opened, the egg reveals a miniature scene of a mother polar bear with two cubs, modelled in 18k white gold, resting on an ice floe carved from sardonyx with its natural frosted surface resembling snow. The pedestal is made of frosted rock crystal cut with angular facets to evoke a glacier. It rests on a circular base of polished rock crystal, mounted with white-gold feet that provide stability and refinement. Background: Fabergé’s animal...
Topaz, 18k Gold, Enamel, White Gold
Antique Mughal Indian Enamel and Diamond Cup Saucer & Spoon Set
Located in New York, NY
Antique Mughal Indian Enamel and Diamond Cup Saucer & Spoon Set A 200+ year old masterpiece: Incredible enamel on gold tea cup, saucer, and spoon. Set w...
Diamond, Enamel
Cartier Mother of Pearl, Rock Crystal and Agate Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This Cartier Mother of Pearl, Rock Crystal and Agate Desk Clock is of French Origin, and dates back to the 1980s. SKU#W-00755
Agate, Rock Crystal
Bownite and Enamel Fabergé Frame
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A jewelled gold-mounted bowenite and enamel frame, Fabergé, Michael Perchin, St. Petersburg, before 1899, the circular bowenite frame centred by translucent mauve bezel with applied ...
Diamond, Other, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
$188,948
H 7.88 in W 5.12 in
Fabergé Autumn-Egg, 18k Yellow Gold, Aubergine-Red Enamel, Diamonds 3.34ct G VS
By Fabergé
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Fabergé Autumn Egg, 18k Yellow Gold, Aubergine-Red Enamel, Diamonds 3.34 ct G VS, Obsidian, Agate, Ruby, Amethyst, Coral, Onyx This Fabergé egg, created in 1998 as part of the “Four...
Agate, Amber, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Wonderful Victorian Antique Hardstone Gold Filled Watch Fob
Located in Wheaton, IL
The piece on display is an absolute marvel of craftsmanship that is bound to leave you in awe. It is a testament to the skilled artisans who created it, showcasing elaborate and deta...
Gold-filled
$895
H 10.38 in W 3.88 in D 0.75 in
Antique Edwardian William B Kerr Sterling Silver Purse or Lady's Evening Bag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Edwardian purse or evening bag. In sterling silver. By William B. Kerr & Co. The purse has a small chain and opens with a button. The interior has two pockets on ei...
Sterling Silver
Fabergé Gold and Enamel Cigarette Case
By Fabergé
Located in Weston, MA
This bicolor gold and enamel cigarette case by Fabergé features an applied moss agate oval decoration set within a seed pearl and gold border. The body is decorated with yellow guilloche enamel and applied laurel bands at the base and cover. The case is finished with a cabochon sapphire thumbpiece. It is hallmarked Fabergé with makers mark for Henrik Wigström. Henrik Wigström (1862-1923) was one of the most important Fabergé work-masters. He joined the firm in 1884 as assistant to Michael Perchin and upon Perchin’s death in 1903 he became head work-master. The two were responsible for almost all of the Imperial Easter eggs produced by Fabergé, as well as superbly crafted enamel and gold objects...
Agate, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, En...
Sold
H 1.07 in W 1.05 in
Antique Fabergé Dendritic Agate Diamond Gold and Silver Heart Brooch, Circa 1915
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A Fabergé dendritic agate and diamond heart shape brooch, with a heart shape dendritic agate, with inclusions suggesting trees, in a rub over settin...
Agate, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Fabergé Jewelled and Enameled Gold and Hardstone Seal
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A Faberge' jewelled and enamelled gold and hardstone seal, the flat oval handle inset at both sides with a moss agate panel over sunburst engine-turning within a rose-cut diamond-set border, the mount enamelled in opaque white, the collar with swirled fluting within further diamonds, blank nephrite matrix, workmaster Henrik Wigström, St Petersburg, circa 1910. Should you choose to make this purchase we would be delighted to send it to you in a Bentley & Skinner handmade leather case packed in a gift-wrapped Bentley & Skinner black and gold presentation box. Shortly afterwards we will send you on a valuation for insurance purposes for your reference and safekeeping. This exquisite hardstone seal was made by Fabergé and comes from the Fabergé collection of Bentley & Skinner, the London jewellers by appointment to both Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Fabergé was established in St Petersburg in 1842, and by the late nineteenth century, was Russia’s largest and best-known jewellery house. The house has become known for their royal commissions and their close ties to the family of Tsar Nicholas II. This seal features a flat oval handle with a gorgeous dendritic agate panel inset. This particular agate has the natural appearance of a miniature treecape, adding fine detail to this piece. Surrounding the handle is a frame of glittering rose-cut diamonds. The mount features white enamel and a fluted design set with diamonds, culminating in a blank matrix made from vibrant nephrite. This piece bears the marks of workmaster Henrik Wigström, who was head workmaster at Fabergé from 1903 onwards. This antique Fabergé seal...
Agate, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Fabergé Nephrite, Gold, and Ruby Kovsh
By Fabergé
Located in New York, NY
An antique nineteenth century nephrite, gold, and ruby kovsh by Fabergé. Certificate available. The Kovsh is a traditional drinking vessel or ladle from Russia. Versions in precious ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Fabergé Moonstone Diamond 14 Karat Gold Perfume Bottle Flask Container
By Fabergé
Located in New York City, NY
Very rare and unusual diamond, moonstone and 14K yellow gold perfume bottle/flask made by Faberge, circa late 19th century. It features high grade diamonds along with a cabochon moon...
Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold
Star of the North Faberge Egg Crystal with Sterling Silver Gold-Plated Base
By Fabergé
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
The Fabergé egg is the symbol of spiritual and physical rebirth and renewal. This crystal egg is signed and numbered 0475 Fabergé eggs are handcrafted in St. Petersburg. Russia. ...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Faberge Gold and Enamel Cigarette Holder in Original Box
By Fabergé
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 Faberge Rose and Green Gold Cigarette Holder, measuring 3 1/2 inch in length and 3/8 inch thick, the central section is finished in Pink Guilloche enamel and the Mouth Pie...
14k Gold