On May 30 we are marking the 180^th birth anniversary of a man whose name became the ultimate global synonym for jewelry perfection – Peter Carl Fabergé. He transformed a family workshop into a major artistic empire, conquered the crowned personages of Europe, and created a phenomenon that remains unsurpassed to this day. In the year of this grand anniversary, we look back at how the great artisan reshaped the world of art, and invite you to experience his heritage firsthand in the museum Collection.

Prior to Carl Fabergé, the value of jewelry was measured primarily by the carats of large gemstones. The master fundamentally changed this tradition, choosing instead to focus on artistic value, unique design, and flawless craftsmanship.

"If the only value of expensive things lies in a wealth of diamonds or pearls, then they hold little interest for me," the artisan claimed.

Fabergé boldly paired gold with Siberian and Ural ornamental stones, such as nephrite, bowenite, and rhodonite. Yet the true signature of the firm was the intricate technique of guilloché enamel, boasting more than 144 unique shades, the secret formulas of many of which have been lost.

Born in St. Petersburg in 1846, Carl Fabergé underwent extensive training in Europe. Upon his return, he spent years working free of charge as a restorer at the Imperial Hermitage, studying the secrets of old masters. This experience enabled him to create the first Imperial Easter egg, "The Hen," for Alexander III in 1885. The gift so delighted the imperial family that it became an annual commission, and Fabergé was granted the title of Supplier to the Imperial Court. In total, the firm created 50 Easter masterpieces for the Romanovs, each concealing a unique surprise inside.

One of Fabergé’s unique qualities was his rare ability to recognize outstanding talent. The finest masters of the era – Mikhail Perkhin, August Holmström, and Alma Pihl – worked under his leadership. Fabergé gave them complete creative freedom, allowing them to stamp their own initials on the maker's marks.

To honour the master's 180^th anniversary, museum Collection has prepared a special program. In our permanent exhibition halls, one can see firsthand authentic masterpieces from the firm’s golden age: rare hardstone carvings, whimsical objets d'art, items featuring the signature translucent enamel over a guilloché ground, and the famous artistic silver produced by the Moscow and St. Petersburg workshops.

More details about the life of the unequalled artisan are in the section "Authors".

Works by the Fabergé firm are presented in the sections "Russian metal artworks", "Russian enamel", "Lapidary works of art and ivories", and "Jewelry and accessories". 

The lectures about the prominent jeweler creative work "Carl Faberge: jewelry manager" and “The firms, Imperial Court Supplies’” are posted in the section "Lecture Course”.

Thematic photo album commemorating the 180^th birth anniversary the jeweler “Masterpieces by Fabergé in the museum Collection exposition” is in our Photo Gallery.