In a stunning display of art market fervour, a long-lost Fabergé Winter Egg has shattered expectations by selling for an astonishing £3.9 million at Christie's London. The exquisite piece, created in 1913 for the Russian imperial family, had vanished from public view for decades before its dramatic reappearance.
The Rediscovery of a Royal Treasure
The Winter Egg's journey to the auction block reads like an art detective story. Last documented in 1949, the egg resurfaced in the collection of an anonymous family who had owned it for generations, completely unaware of its significance and true value. Experts at Christie's identified it as one of only 50 imperial Easter eggs commissioned by the Russian royal family before the revolution.
Crafted by Master Jeweller Alfred Boucher
This particular masterpiece was fashioned by Alfred Boucher, Fabergé's head workmaster, for Tsar Nicholas II as an Easter gift to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. The egg's delicate design features rock crystal carved to resemble melting ice, adorned with platinum-set diamonds and engraved with frost patterns.
Record-Breaking Sale Stuns Art World
The auction room erupted as bidding quickly surpassed the pre-sale estimate of £2-3 million. After intense competition between multiple international collectors, the hammer finally fell at £3.9 million, establishing a new benchmark for Fabergé collectibles. "This sale demonstrates the enduring appeal and investment value of exceptional historical pieces," commented a Christie's spokesperson.
From Royal Courts to Modern Collections
The Winter Egg represents the pinnacle of Russian craftsmanship during the Edwardian era. Its survival through revolution, war, and decades of obscurity adds to its mystique. The new owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, has acquired not just a beautiful object but a tangible piece of imperial Russian history.
