A magnificent diamond-studded crystal Fabergé egg, once a cherished possession of Russia’s imperial family, has achieved a new world record, selling for an astounding £22.9 million ($30.2 million) in London. Known as the Winter Egg, this exquisite creation, celebrated as one of the legendary jeweler’s most breathtaking works, was acquired by an undisclosed bidder this past Tuesday.
Millenium TV has learned that the 8.2cm (3.2in) masterpiece, adorned with an astonishing 4,500 diamonds, was originally commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II in 1913. It was intended as a personal gift for his mother, adding to its profound historical significance. This sale far surpasses the previous record for a Fabergé egg, which stood at £8.9 million from an auction in 2007.
Following the groundbreaking sale, auction officials expressed the enduring importance of this particular piece. “Today’s result sets a new world auction record for a work by Fabergé, reaffirming the enduring significance of this masterpiece,” a spokesperson stated.
The Winter Egg, designed by Alma Theresia Pihl, one of only two female workmasters at the St. Petersburg jewelry company, is carved from rock crystal. It features delicate rose-cut diamonds and intricate platinum snowflake motifs. The egg’s remarkable design includes a hidden compartment that opens to reveal a tiny basket filled with white quartz flowers.
Out of the 50 eggs ever created by the House of Fabergé for Russia’s imperial Romanov family, the Imperial Winter Egg is one of a mere seven that remain in private hands. The remaining eggs are either lost to history or held within institutional and museum collections. These iconic eggs were produced between 1885 until Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication in 1917.
© Millenium TV
