Faberge egg
Imperial Russian bauble
A Fabergé egg is an ornate, jeweled egg created by the House of Fabergé, the Russian jewelry firm founded by Peter Carl Fabergé.
The most famous examples were made for Russian tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II as Easter gifts for their wives and mothers between 1885 and 1917.
Each egg contained a surprise—a miniature portrait, figurine, or mechanical device—and featured precious metals, gemstones, and elaborate enamelwork.
The term now applies broadly to any highly decorative egg-shaped objet d'art, or figuratively to anything exquisitely crafted and extravagantly expensive.
Relating to supreme rule
- RussiaEurasian federation, largest country
- Nicholas IILast imperial Russian ruler
- czarinaRussian female monarch
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
Hermitage · St. Petersburg · aristocracy · monarchy · palace · Winter Palace · coronation · Anastasia
Precious metal artisan
- enamelHard glossy coating
- guillocheIntertwined curved ornamental pattern
- cloisonnéEnamel fused within wire partitions
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
vitreous · workshop · miniature · hinged · jeweler · engraving · chasing · lacquer
Showy, abundant prosperity
- extravaganceExcessive, wasteful spending
- wealthAbundance of valuable resources
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- exclusivityState of being limited
status symbol · aristocratic · lavish · splendor · grandeur · elite · high society · decadence
Polished ornamental minerals
- diamondsPrecious crystallized carbon
- sapphiresBlue precious stones
- rubiesRed precious gemstones
- emeraldsPrecious green gemstones
pearls · precious · cabochon · pavé · carats · lapis lazuli · rock crystal · jade
Competitive public sale
- Sotheby'sMajor fine art auctioneer
- Christie'sMajor art auction firm
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- appraisalEstimation of worth
rarity · museum · valuation · private collection · acquisition · repatriation · authentication · condition
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- decorativeServing to beautify
- gildedOverlaid with gold leaf
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
- baroqueExcessively ornate or elaborate
rococo · elaborate · adorned · ornamented · sculptural · miniature portraits · laurel wreaths · serpent
imperial
Relating to supreme rule
- RussiaEurasian federation, largest country
- Nicholas IILast imperial Russian ruler
- czarinaRussian female monarch
dynasty · Hermitage · St. Petersburg · aristocracy · monarchy · palace · Winter Palace · coronation · Anastasia · regalia
goldsmith
Precious metal artisan
- enamelHard glossy coating
- guillocheIntertwined curved ornamental pattern
- cloisonnéEnamel fused within wire partitions
filigree · vitreous · workshop · miniature · hinged · jeweler · engraving · chasing · lacquer · hand-painted
opulence
Showy, abundant prosperity
- extravaganceExcessive, wasteful spending
- wealthAbundance of valuable resources
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
exclusivity · status symbol · aristocratic · lavish · splendor · grandeur · elite · high society · decadence · gilded age
gemstones
Polished ornamental minerals
emeralds · pearls · precious · cabochon · pavé · carats · lapis lazuli · rock crystal · jade · moonstone
auction
Competitive public sale
- Sotheby'sMajor fine art auctioneer
- Christie'sMajor art auction firm
- provenanceRecord of ownership
appraisal · rarity · museum · valuation · private collection · acquisition · repatriation · authentication · condition · rediscovered
intricate
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- decorativeServing to beautify
- gildedOverlaid with gold leaf
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
baroque · rococo · elaborate · adorned · ornamented · sculptural · miniature portraits · laurel wreaths · serpent · trellis