Media & Us

Absolutely fab-ulous, Time Out Hong Kong, 29.01.2013

29.01.2013

Okay, it’s not Easter yet. But beautifully crafted eggs are nevertheless very much on the menu over the coming weeks as Russian master jeweller Fabergé rolls a unique exhibition into town. And, as Easter eggs go, you’d be hard-pressed to find any which beats the dazzling and delicate creations by the famous craftsman of the Romanov dynasty, Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920). He’s the most famous bejewelled egg maker in history – and Hongkongers can see his creations at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from February 6.

Four Fabergé eggs appear in the expo. They include the Trans-Siberian Train Easter Egg, which was created in 1900 for Tsar Nicholas II, who, in turn, gave it to his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, as a festive present. Also on display is the Moscow Kremlin Easter Egg, the tallest and most ambitious of all of the Imperial Fabergé eggs, made from gold, silver, onyx and enamel. This was given by the Tsar to the Tsarina at Easter in 1906 and represents Uspensky Cathedral, where the tsars of Russia were crowned. There’s also the Memory of Azov Easter Egg from 1891 and the unfinished Constellation Tsarevich Easter Egg. As for how much these pieces are worth, the museum won’t disclose that information – however, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s an incredible sum.

Among other items on display are works of art and jewellery which have been carefully crafted and lavished with an array of precious metals and jewels, specially created by the House of Fabergé for the Russian court. The Moscow Kremlin Museums and Fersman Mineralogical Museum of Russia have loaned more than 200 pretty pieces to the Heritage Museum until the end of April, making it the first time a Fabergé exhibition has rolled into our city.

The first Fabergé egg was commissioned in 1885 by Tsar Alexander III to give as a gift to his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. She was so enthralled by the exquisite piece that the Tsar commissioned another the following year. So began the series of a total of 54 jewelled eggs crafted annually for the Russian Imperial family. Legend has it that, from then on, the Tsar left complete creative control to Peter, as long as each egg created for the court contained a surprise.

Assistant curator at the Heritage Museum, Tang Hing-Sun, explains the painstaking process that would have taken place when making a Fabergé egg. “The creation of an egg took about a year,” he says. “It was a process that had a preliminary period including detailed planning, sketches and models. Fabergé was the mastermind behind it all – and he provided the taste and direction for the creation. Discussions also took place among the goldsmiths, silversmiths, enamellers, jewellers, lapidary workers and stonecutters who would contribute their abilities toward the final Fabergé egg.”

The House of Fabergé ground to a halt for two years between 1904 and 1905 due to the Russo-Japanese war, and the 1917 Russian Revolution caused the Fabergé family to flee to Switzerland. Nevertheless, the reputation of the firm remains to this day. “With their fabulous workmanship, unparallelled beauty and rarity, these eggs can fetch soaring prices in the international market – up to tens and hundreds of millions US dollars,” says Mr Tang.

For those interested in the value of the eggs, here’s a little perspective: in 2007, the Rothschild Egg, featuring a diamond-encrusted cockerel which emerges from within, flaps its wings and crows, sold for £8.9m ($109.5m), breaking auction records for the most expensive timepiece, Russian item and Fabergé item all at once. “We think this exhibition will be a great opportunity for Hong Kong citizens to form a more profound view of the history and culture of Russia,” says Mr Tang, “and this exhibition may inspire them to know better its rich artistic heritage and innovation technologies through the fabulous masterpieces of Fabergé.”

The Heritage Museum hosts the Bling Bling Easter Eggs event on March 9 and 16 for kids to get familiar with Fabergé and it’s also organising Interesting Artworks: Russian Culture Lecture talks on March 2, March 16 and April 20. And a ticket to the Fabergé exhibition – which will also have guided tours available – entitles you to browse other displays at the museum. So, while you’re there, check out what else is on offer. It’s a pretty eggs-cellent place, we think.

http://www.timeout.com.hk/around-town/features/55896/absolutely-fab-ulous.html