For many years, English artisan Theo Fabergé pursued the decorative arts as a hobby. He mastered antique restoration, jewelling and ornamental turning, winning accolades for his unique stylistic vision. As the only surviving grandson of Peter Carl Fabergé, however, Theo refused to make eggs.
After all, Theo's grandfather was the world renowned "Jeweler to the Czars" and not a legend to be challenged. Between 1885 and 1916, the famous Russian Fabergé workshops produced a wide range of luxurious creations for royalty and the merely wealthy of Europe.
With the passage of time, however, the name Fabergé has become synonymous with one group of classic designs in particular, the Imperial Eggs. Created by Fabergé for the last Czars, these bejeweled wonders were given as gifts to the Czarina or Dowager Empress at Easter.
Of the over fifty Imperial Eggs made during this era, incredibly more than 40 have survived a revolution and two world wars. These objet are now priceless treasures displayed in museums and special exhibitions or as part of the private collections of art connoisseurs.
But a new chapter in the Fabergé story began in the early 1980's when Theo was approached by a young lad with a simple request: "Please Mr. Fabergé, make me an egg." Not wanting to disappoint the child, Theo complied and once he began there was no turning back. Since 1985, he has created an amazing body of work of his own contemporary egg designs - The St. Petersburg Collection.
Made from fine and precious materials, the Collection is a melding of art and history - and in the tradition of Peter Carl Fabergé - magic and mystery. |
Most eggs reveal a hidden surprise when investigated by the viewer. An optical illusion, a mechanical amusement, a hidden music box - all continue a craft perfected by the grandfather and now brought into the 21st century by the grandson.
Theo's latest creation, The Piano Anniversary Egg, exhibits all the classic design elements of the Fabergé family. The work commemorates the 300th year of the pianoforte, done in gleaming sterling silver, 24 karat gold, ruby and jet crystal.
When the lid is removed, a black lacquer miniature grand piano is revealed. But in keeping with the lineage of the Imperial Eggs, there is yet a further surprise. A secret music box in a hidden compartment plays Tchaikovsky's Piano concerto No. 1.
Now approaching eighty years of age, Theo Fabergé has himself become a legend, his art continuing the public's fascination with the creations of the Fabergé family.
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