Easter Eggs fit for an Emperor go show in the UK for the first time

The Alexander Palace Egg, Faberge
Moscow Kremlin Museums
Robert Dex @RobDexES30 March 2021

Visitors to the new V&A exhibition are likely to encounter serious Easter Egg envy as a trio of treasures fit for an emperor go on show in the UK for the first time.

They are the work of legendary goldsmith Carl Faberge and the show, Faberge in London: Romance to Revolution, includes more than 200 objects to tell the story of the firm’s outpost in the capital – the only branch it opened outside Russia.

As well as the three Imperial eggs on loan from the Kremlin Museums, other ostentatious objects including flowers carved from crystal and decorated with diamonds, an aquamarine and diamond tiara and a solid gold dinner service made for the royal families of Europe in the days before the revolution.

The three eggs from Moscow include the Kremlin Egg inspired by the Moscow cathedral where the Czars were crowned, the Alexander Palace Egg, featuring watercolour portraits of the children of Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra and a model of the palace, and the Tercentenary Egg created to celebrate 300 years of the Romanov dynasty.

Faberge’s decision to open a branch in London, where Edward VII and Queen Alexandra were already devoted collectors, will be reflected in objects including figures of the monarch’s favourite racehorse and pet dog.

It also looks at the impact of World War I, when Faberge’s factories moved from the production of luxuries to focusing on the war effort, and the Russian revolution which saw the firm seized by the Communists and Faberge die in exile in Switzerland a few years later.

Curators Kieran McCarthy and Hanne Faurby said: “The story of Carl Fabergé, the legendary Russian Imperial goldsmith, is one of supreme luxury and unsurpassed craftsmanship. Celebrating Fabergé’s extraordinary achievements, this exhibition focuses on the over-looked importance of his London branch, the only one outside of Russia. It attracted a global clientele of Royalty, aristocrats, business titans and socialites.

“Through Fabergé’s creations the exhibition will explore timeless stories of love, friendship and unashamed social climbing. It will take the visitor on a journey of sublime artistry and patronage towards the revolution that tragically closed Fabergé - but will send visitors away on a high, by honouring Fabergé’s greatest legacy, with a dazzling final display of his iconic Easter Eggs.”

:: The show runs from November 20 to May 8 next year.

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