Posted on: Friday, December 14, 2001

Exquisite Russian Fabergé eggs remain unrivaled in art world

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

In the Russian Orthodox Church, Christmas is not the most celebrated holiday.

Furthermore, it takes place in January, which may tempt those stressed by the "only 10 days till Christmas" syndrome to migrate. Instead, Easter is the holiday with all the hoopla.

That's why the egg is so important to the Russian people, according to Tatiana Fabergé, whose ily name is closely connected with the egg.

"It signifies spring, resurrection, a new life," said the last living member of the Fabergé family, who will be at Neiman Marcus Moana for public appearances today and tomorrow. < p>Tatiana Fabergé is the great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920), the creator of the incomparable Fabergé eggs that were commissioned by Czar Alexander III and his son Czar Nicholas II for the royal family of pre-revolutionary Russia.

Fabergé eggs are among the icons of European decorative arts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their exquisite craftsmanship, inventive designs and whimsical approach remain unrivaled even a century later.

Just one Fabergé egg, carved from rock crystal and inlaid with 4,508 diamonds, fetched $5.6 million at auction. The list of collectors of Fabergé eggs is topped by billionaire Malcolm Forbes and England's Queen Elizabeth.

Each Fabergé egg was created for a special occasion and contains a tiny treasure. For example, the egg celebrating the Trans-Siberian Railroad houses a 15-inch miniature train that actually runs. It folds up small enough to fit in an egg about 6 inches in diameter.

The Coronation egg contains a miniature replica of the Czarina Alexandra's coach, complete with stairs that fold down, wheels that turn and tiny red velvet seats.

The Pansy egg plays Beethoven while a miniature unicorn emerges.

For many years, Tatiana Fabergé has worked as the family archivist. In 1992 she co-wrote a book,

"The History of the House of Fabergé," based on the recollections of Francois Birbaum, senior designer of the House of Faberg&eacThis was followed by a second book, "The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs," from 10 years of researching family records and journals, as well as archives that were kept hidden in Russia until Mikhail orbachev came to power. < p>The legendary Fabergé eggs were crafted from gemstones h as diamonds and emeralds, brilliant enamels in 150 different shades, platinum and gold.

Today the Connecticut-based company that owns the Fabergé name makes reproductions with Limoges porcelain, Swarovski crystals and hand-carved gemstones.

Tatiana Fabergé assists with design and inspiration. Reproductions of the eggs, sold in Hawai'i at Neiman Marcus, range from $165 to $5,000.

Eggs were not the only objects created by the Fabergé firm, as Tatiana Fabergé can tell you. China, stemware, clocks, picture frames, even knitting needles were transformed into decorative art pieces.

Mysteries surrounding the extensive creations of Fabergé are still unfolding.

In 1997, in a deserted warehouse in Estonia, the original stamping dies used to manufacture Fabergé sterling silver flatware were discovered. The dies are used in Sweden to make limited quantities of the place settings (exclusively for Neiman Marcus).

Fabergé said her family made only 50 imperial eggs, and she has tracked down 42 of them. It is her hope that continued detective work will find the other eight on a dusty shelf, somewhere in the world.