Renaissance (Fabergé egg)
Encyclopedia
The Renaissance egg is a jewelled
agate
Easter egg
made by Michael Perchin
under the supervision of the Russia
n jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé
in 1894. The egg was made for Alexander III of Russia
, who presented it to his wife, the Empress Maria Feodorovna.
It was the last egg that Alexander presented to Maria.
, is that the surprise for the Renaissance egg is the Resurrection egg
, which perfectly fits the curvature of the Renaissance Egg's shell and has a similar decoration in enamel on the base. It was also shown at the same 1902 showcase at the Renaissance Egg. The Resurrection egg
has no inventory number, which would speak in favour of this theory.
in 1917. It was sold alongside nine other eggs for 1,500 rubles to Armand Hammer
.
Advertised for sale by Hammer in 1937, it was sold to Henry Talbot DeVere Clifton. It had been sold in November 1949 to the Swingline
magnates Jack and Belle Linsky.
Attempting to give their Fabergé collection to the Metropolitan Museum, the Linskys were rebuffed, as the museum stated it was not interested in "Edwardian decorative trivia". The egg was then sold to the Manhattan
antique dealers A La Vieille Russie
, where it was purchased by Malcolm Forbes
for his collection on May 15, 1965.
The Forbes Collection was sold in 2004 to Viktor Vekselberg
. Vekselberg purchased some nine Imperial eggs, as part of the collection, for almost $100 million.
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
agate
Agate
Agate is a microcrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks.-Etymology...
Easter egg
Easter egg
Easter eggs are special eggs that are often given to celebrate Easter or springtime.The oldest tradition is to use dyed or painted chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with confectionery such as jelly beans...
made by Michael Perchin
Michael Perchin
Michael Evlampievich Perchin was born in Petrozavodsk and died in St. Petersburg. He was one of the most important Fabergé workmasters next to Henrik Wigström. Perchin became the leading workmaster in the House of Fabergé in 1886 and supervised production of the eggs until his death in 1903...
under the supervision of the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé
Peter Carl Fabergé
Peter Karl Fabergé also known as Karl Gustavovich Fabergé in Russia was a Russian jeweller of Baltic German-Danish and French origin, best known for the famous Fabergé eggs, made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials.-Early...
in 1894. The egg was made for Alexander III of Russia
Alexander III of Russia
Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
, who presented it to his wife, the Empress Maria Feodorovna.
It was the last egg that Alexander presented to Maria.
Surprise
The surprise is lost, but it has been speculated that the surprise was pearls. Another theory, advanced by Christopher ForbesChristopher Forbes
Christopher "Kip" Forbes is Vice Chairman of the Forbes Publishing company. He attended St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts, and Princeton University....
, is that the surprise for the Renaissance egg is the Resurrection egg
Resurrection (Fabergé egg)
The Resurrection egg is a jewelled enameled and rock crystal Easter egg made by Michael Perchin under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé before 1899 .Long considered a Fabergé egg, it does not bear an inventory number...
, which perfectly fits the curvature of the Renaissance Egg's shell and has a similar decoration in enamel on the base. It was also shown at the same 1902 showcase at the Renaissance Egg. The Resurrection egg
Resurrection (Fabergé egg)
The Resurrection egg is a jewelled enameled and rock crystal Easter egg made by Michael Perchin under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé before 1899 .Long considered a Fabergé egg, it does not bear an inventory number...
has no inventory number, which would speak in favour of this theory.
History
Alexander III was billed 4,750 rubles for the Renaissance egg, and it was confiscated by the Russian Provisional GovernmentRussian Provisional Government
The Russian Provisional Government was the short-lived administrative body which sought to govern Russia immediately following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II . On September 14, the State Duma of the Russian Empire was officially dissolved by the newly created Directorate, and the country was...
in 1917. It was sold alongside nine other eggs for 1,500 rubles to Armand Hammer
Armand Hammer
Armand Hammer was an American business tycoon most closely associated with Occidental Petroleum, a company he ran for decades, though he was known as well as for his art collection, his philanthropy, and for his close ties to the Soviet Union.Thanks to business interests around the world and his...
.
Advertised for sale by Hammer in 1937, it was sold to Henry Talbot DeVere Clifton. It had been sold in November 1949 to the Swingline
Swingline
Swingline is a division of ACCO Brands that specializes in manufacturing staplers and hole punches. The company was formerly located in Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States, but is now headquartered with its parent company ACCO in Lincolnshire, Illinois.- History :Swingline was founded...
magnates Jack and Belle Linsky.
Attempting to give their Fabergé collection to the Metropolitan Museum, the Linskys were rebuffed, as the museum stated it was not interested in "Edwardian decorative trivia". The egg was then sold to the Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
antique dealers A La Vieille Russie
A La Vieille Russie
- Overview :, a New York antiques gallery specializing in antique jewelry and Russian works of art, is world-renowned for its collection of artworks by Carl Fabergé, created for members of the Romanov court and other wealthy patrons in late 19th century Russia...
, where it was purchased by Malcolm Forbes
Malcolm Forbes
Malcolm Stevenson Forbes was publisher of Forbes magazine, founded by his father B. C. Forbes and today run by his son Steve Forbes.-Life and career:...
for his collection on May 15, 1965.
The Forbes Collection was sold in 2004 to Viktor Vekselberg
Viktor Vekselberg
Viktor Felixovich Vekselberg is the owner and president of Renova Group, a large Russian conglomerate.-Business empire:Victor Vekselberg was born in 1957 in Western Ukraine. He graduated from the Moscow Transportation Engineering Institute in 1979...
. Vekselberg purchased some nine Imperial eggs, as part of the collection, for almost $100 million.
External links
- A detailed article on the 'Renaissance' Egg, from imperialtresuresofrussia.com