Sotheby's auction house has broken records once again with the sale of a breathtaking Fabergé egg at a staggering £22.9 million. The exquisite piece, known as the Winter egg, was created in 1913 by renowned Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, the mother of Russia's last emperor.
This stunning work is considered one of Fabergé's most lavish creations, showcasing the artist's exceptional skill and attention to detail. The egg features a frost design on the inside and rose-cut diamond-set platinum snowflake motifs on the outside, set against a backdrop of rock crystal. The level of craftsmanship and beauty in this piece is truly unmatched.
The Winter egg has been sold at auction three times before, but its latest sale has shattered the previous record by over 2,500%, with the Rothschild egg selling for £8.9 million back in 2007. This historic sale not only sets a new world record for Fabergé but also solidifies the egg's place as one of the most significant and valuable pieces in the artist's repertoire.
The egg's history is as fascinating as its creation. After the Russian Revolution, it was taken from St Petersburg to Moscow, where it became part of the Kremlin armorry collection alongside other royal treasures. In the 1920s, the Soviet government began selling off art treasures, and the egg changed hands several times before being sold to a British collector for £1,500 in 1934.
The egg's ownership has been marked by periods of uncertainty, with its whereabouts unknown for over two decades between 1975 and 1994. However, it was eventually rediscovered and sold at auction twice more in the early 2000s, first for £6.8 million and then for £7.1 million.
According to Margo Oganesian, head of Christie's department for Fabergé and Russian works of art, the sale is a testament to the enduring significance of this masterpiece. "This was an exceptional and historic opportunity for collectors to acquire a work of unparalleled importance," she said. With only a handful of imperial Easter eggs remaining in private hands, the Winter egg's sale is a rare chance for collectors to own a piece of history that is both technically and artistically brilliant.
This stunning work is considered one of Fabergé's most lavish creations, showcasing the artist's exceptional skill and attention to detail. The egg features a frost design on the inside and rose-cut diamond-set platinum snowflake motifs on the outside, set against a backdrop of rock crystal. The level of craftsmanship and beauty in this piece is truly unmatched.
The Winter egg has been sold at auction three times before, but its latest sale has shattered the previous record by over 2,500%, with the Rothschild egg selling for £8.9 million back in 2007. This historic sale not only sets a new world record for Fabergé but also solidifies the egg's place as one of the most significant and valuable pieces in the artist's repertoire.
The egg's history is as fascinating as its creation. After the Russian Revolution, it was taken from St Petersburg to Moscow, where it became part of the Kremlin armorry collection alongside other royal treasures. In the 1920s, the Soviet government began selling off art treasures, and the egg changed hands several times before being sold to a British collector for £1,500 in 1934.
The egg's ownership has been marked by periods of uncertainty, with its whereabouts unknown for over two decades between 1975 and 1994. However, it was eventually rediscovered and sold at auction twice more in the early 2000s, first for £6.8 million and then for £7.1 million.
According to Margo Oganesian, head of Christie's department for Fabergé and Russian works of art, the sale is a testament to the enduring significance of this masterpiece. "This was an exceptional and historic opportunity for collectors to acquire a work of unparalleled importance," she said. With only a handful of imperial Easter eggs remaining in private hands, the Winter egg's sale is a rare chance for collectors to own a piece of history that is both technically and artistically brilliant.
. I mean, £22.9 million? That's just a lot of money for something that's basically a fancy egg 
. Can't people just appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship without throwing around such astronomical prices? And what's with all the fuss about owning a piece of history? Can't you just enjoy it in a museum or something? I'm also not buying into the whole "masterpiece" hype – it's just an egg, folks! 
That's like, crazy rich! I remember hearing about Fabergé eggs being super valuable back in 2007 when the Rothschild egg sold for like, £8.9 million... who knew it'd go even higher? 
And can you believe this thing has been around since 1913? The craftsmanship is insane, I mean, rose-cut diamond-set platinum snowflake motifs? 
. I mean, 2,500% increase from the previous record set by the Rothschild egg in 2007 is just staggering 
. The fact that it was sold at auction for so long with its whereabouts unknown for two decades adds to its mystique and historical significance 
. For collectors, this sale is like a dream come true – a rare chance to own a piece of history that's both technically and artistically brilliant 
. It just goes to show that when it comes to Fabergé eggs, the money's always on display 
.
but its history is ono2! from russia 2 britain & every1 elses hands, it was like a game of musical chairs 
but now its just us lucky collectors 
can u imagine owning somethin thats been around since 1913? 
! But to see it end up in the hands of a collector who appreciates its value is just AMAZING 
! The craftsmanship and beauty in this piece are truly unmatched... I mean, it's like a work of art that's been perfected over centuries 
.
?
. Did people even care about art treasures back then?
. But seriously, who needs that kind of cash when you could buy, like, a private island or something? 
At least the egg gets to rest easy knowing it's part of the most expensive Fabergé sale ever 
. The history behind this thing is wild too – from being part of the Kremlin armory to getting sold for £1,500 in 1934... talk about a wild ride 
. I guess you could say it's been an egg-cellent investment strategy 
.
? also, 1.5k in 1934 lol what a steal 
. And who needs that kind of money to hang out a few decorative motifs on a rock crystal background? I'm sure the previous owner was just sitting there thinking, "You know what would be awesome? A £22.9 million Easter egg!" 