Fabergé Eggs: World’s Most Opulent Gifts

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Did you know that in 2002, an egg was sold for a jaw-dropping $9.6 million.  But this was no ordinary egg—it was the 1913 Winter Egg, one of the rarest Fabergé eggs ever crafted.

In 2012, a man who purchased an unidentified jewelled egg from an antique shop later discovered it was a genuine Fabergé egg worth $33 million. Shocking, right? It’s a stunning reminder of the incredible Fabergé eggs value, hidden in plain sight.

The world of antiques is filled with extraordinary treasures. One of the most celebrated, talked-about, coveted treasures in the antique world is the Fabergé eggs.

Today, we’re diving deep into the history and significance of Fabergé eggs, what makes a Fabergé egg valuable, a look at the Fabergé egg list, what surprises lie inside them, and how they are forever linked to Russian imperial art and the tragic saga of the Fabergé eggs and the Romanovs.

What Are Fabergé Eggs?

The famous Fabergé eggs were first created in 1885 when Emperor Alexander III commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé to create a spectacularly extravagant Easter gift to cheer up his young, homesick wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna.

A Fabergé egg is not just a decorative piece—it’s a luxury antique gift steeped in royalty, art, and history.

The celebrated series of Imperial Easter eggs was created between 1885 and 1916 by the House of Fabergé in St. Petersburg, Russia. These eggs were commissioned by the Russian Imperial family, beginning with Tzar Alexander III.

When Alexander III presented the first Fabergé egg in 1885 to his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna, it was meant as a one-time Easter gift. But her sheer delight inspired him to commission a new egg every year until his death. His son, Nicholas II, continued the tradition, presenting one to his mother and another to his wife each Easter. This custom lasted until the Russian Revolution in 1917, which marked the fall of the Romanov dynasty after more than 300 years.

The ‘Surprise’ within the Egg

Each egg was entirely unique, crafted from the most luxurious materials and encrusted with precious stones. Fabergé constantly reinvented the form, adding innovations like clocks, claw-footed stands, and mechanisms that allowed the eggs to open and reveal hidden surprises. These intricate surprises weren’t just whimsical—they dramatically increased each Fabergé egg’s value, turning them into masterpieces of both art and engineering.

History and Significance of Fabergé Eggs

The history and significance of Fabergé eggs are inseparable from the fate of the Romanovs. The eggs were a display of wealth, power, and refined taste during one of the most lavish periods in Russian history.

Each egg had to contain a “surprise” inside—a tradition that turned them into elaborate masterpieces of Russian imperial art. 

After the Russian Revolution, the Romanovs were executed and their treasures looted. Of the 50 Imperial eggs, only 43 have survived. The rest remain lost to history, rumoured to be in private collections or still waiting to be discovered.

Also Read: A Guide to Rare Collectibles

The Fabergé Egg: An Easter Story

The story of the Fabergé egg begins not with Peter Carl Fabergé, but with his father, Gustav Fabergé, who founded a modest jewellery business in St. Petersburg in the early 1840s.

Gustav’s son, Peter Carl Fabergé, who was educated in St. Petersburg and later at the renowned Dresden Arts and Crafts School, took over his father’s business in 1882.

Peter Faberge along with his brother Agathon Fabergé, transformed it from a typical jeweller’s shop into one of the most prestigious names in Russian imperial art.

Their breakthrough moment came when their work was showcased at the Pan-Russian Exhibition in Moscow. Tsar Alexander III was so impressed by the craftsmanship that he commissioned the House of Fabergé to create a special Easter egg for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna, in 1885. 

So pleased was the Empress with the gift that the Tsar appointed Fabergé the official “Goldsmith by Special Appointment to the Imperial Crown.” 

The First Fabergé Egg: The Hen Egg (1885)

The very first Fabergé egg, known as the Hen Egg, was created in 1885 for Empress Maria Feodorovna. Inspired by an 18th-century design, it featured a smooth, opaque white enamel shell that opened with a gentle twist. Inside was a surprise—a matte yellow gold yolk, which opened to reveal a delicate enamelled, chased gold hen.

The hen once contained two additional surprises: a tiny replica of the Imperial Crown and a miniature ruby pendant egg

Top 5 Most Valuable Fabergé Eggs

• Third Imperial Easter

Gold egg with clock, rediscovered in 2014 in a U.S. kitchen. Estimated Value $33 million.

2. Rothschild Clock

Pink enamel with diamond-set cockerel automaton that pops out on the hour. Valued at $25.1 million.

• Imperial Coronation

This egg features a yellow enamel and a miniature replica of the Tsarina’s coronation coach. Found in – Kremlin Armory Museum, the estimated value is $18 million.

4. Winter Egg

The Winter Egg, featuring a rock crystal shell, platinum frost design, surprise: jewelled flower basket. Sold for $9.6M in 2002.

5. Bay Tree Egg

Presented along with the Fifteenth Anniversary egg, this Bay Tree Egg came with a replica of the 18th-century Imperial coach used during the service, including moving wheels, opening doors. Estimated up to $18 million.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Every Fabergé egg is exceptionally valuable today. While most are housed in world-renowned museums, others remain in the hands of private collectors. Yet, the ultimate prize lies in discovering one of the eight lost Fabergé eggs—a dream find for any collector or historian.

Where Are Fabergé Eggs Today?

Of the 50 Imperial Fabergé eggs, 43 are known to survive. So where are Fabergé eggs today?

• 10 eggs are in the Kremlin Armory Museum in Moscow.
• 3 Eggs with King George V and Queen Mary 
• 9 eggs are owned by the Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg, created by Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg.
• 5 eggs are in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in the U.S.
• Others are in private collections or major institutions like the Met Museum and the British Royal Collection.

At least 8 Imperial eggs are still missing—some may be lost, destroyed, or hiding in unknown private hands.

Credit: Luxatic

Fabergé Eggs and the Romanovs

The story of Fabergé eggs and the Romanovs is one of opulence, artistry, and tragic downfall. These eggs were not just Easter gifts; they were tokens of love and continuity between generations of the Russian imperial family.

They have appeared in everything from novels and museum exhibitions to heist films and documentaries. The public’s obsession continues to grow, not just because of their beauty, but because they are relics of a lost empire, frozen in time.

Why Fabergé Eggs Still Matter

In the world of luxury antique gifts, nothing quite compares to a Fabergé egg. They combine the artistry of fine jewellery with the drama of royal history and the thrill of global treasure hunting. 

They’re more than eggs—they’re icons.

Giftex Auction

Needless to say, at Giftex Online Auction House while we offer a curated selection of premier antiques, we don’t sell Fabergé eggs—those rare treasures are either in museums, private collections, or tucked away in the homes of a very fortunate few.

However, you can own an antique of true historical value and significance. Whether you’re looking to present a luxury antique gift to a loved one or searching for a meaningful addition to your collection, fine antiques offer timeless beauty and a lasting legacy.

Visit Giftex: A World of Collectibles Auction and discover your next piece of history.