Rare Crystal Fabergé Egg Sells for Record $30.2 Million at Auction
A rare crystal and diamond Fabergé egg, commissioned by Czar Nicholas II for Russian royalty, sold for a record-breaking $30.2 million at auction, setting a new world record.
Overview
The "Winter Egg," a rare crystal and diamond Fabergé egg, recently sold at auction for a record-breaking $30.2 million, surpassing previous records for such items.
This opulent Fabergé egg was originally commissioned in 1913 by Czar Nicholas II as an Easter gift for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.
Crafted from finely carved rock crystal, the egg features an intricate snowflake motif in platinum and is adorned with approximately 4,500 tiny diamonds.
The $30.2 million sale shattered the previous record of $18.5 million for a Fabergé egg, set in 2007, establishing a new world record.
One of only seven Fabergé eggs remaining in private hands, the "Winter Egg" has consistently set world record prices each time it has been sold.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources are neutral in their coverage of the Fabergé egg auction. They focus on presenting factual information about the record-breaking sale, the egg's intricate details, and its historical provenance. The reporting avoids loaded language or biased emphasis, instead providing a straightforward account of the event and its significance in the art market.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The Winter Egg was designed by Alma Pihl and is unique for its intricate snowflake motif in platinum and its use of finely carved rock crystal, adorned with approximately 4,500 diamonds. It also features wood anemones carved from white quartz inside, making it one of the most artistically inventive of the imperial Fabergé eggs.
Czar Nicholas II commissioned two Fabergé eggs each year as part of a Romanov family tradition: one for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, and one for his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, continuing the custom started by his father, Alexander III.
The Winter Egg is one of only seven Fabergé imperial eggs that remain in private hands, with the rest held in museums or public collections.
The Winter Egg's sale for $30.2 million set a new world record for a Fabergé egg, surpassing the previous record of $18.5 million set in 2007, highlighting its rarity and enduring value.
After the Winter Egg was created in 1913, war broke out the following year, leading to revolution and civil strife in Russia. Emperor Nicholas II, his wife, and children were murdered in 1918, marking the tragic end of the Romanov dynasty.
History
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