The exhibition Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution It is not a sample to use. First of all, it starts by dismantling myths: the firm was not only dedicated to designing imperial eggs and the creative mind of the firm was not Carl, but a young woman of 23 years, Soul.
The Victoria and Albert exhibition tells the story of Carl Fabergé and the craftsmen who worked for him. It is an ode to the elegance and delicacy that his pieces exude and of the tragic connection with the ill-fated Russian imperial family. The exhibition Fabergé in London , at the V&A through May 8, has become one of the most anticipated events of the season, but you have to be attentive to the tickets that can be released since They have been out of stock for weeks.
Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution.
The show focuses on opening of the only branch of the firm in London in 1903. Royalty, aristocrats, wealthy American heiresses, exiled Russian dukes, maharajas, the nouveaux riches and high society, flocked to the boutique to buy exclusive gifts. True luxury was born and Fabergé's creations were soon so popular in Britain as they were in Russia.
A STORY BECOME A LEGEND
Carl Fabergé joined the family business in 1864, at the age of 18, after having studied in Europe the art of goldsmithing in the collections of museums, libraries and individuals. Although he was an accomplished and highly skilled goldsmith, he did not make the pieces himself; he valued and respected the highly talented group of artists, designers and craftsmen with whom he worked and he entrusted production to specialized workshops supervised by a master.
The legendaries Imperial Easter Eggs they were only a small part of the firm's activities. He made thousands of other pieces for a wide clientele, from animal figurines to cigar cutters, tiaras, cigarette cases and letter openers.
Cigarette Case, by Fabergé, 1908. Royal Collection Trust
THE YOUNG SOUL PIHL
The story of the young designer Alma Pihl is also unusual. She had very few women in the goldsmith workshops in Saint Petersburg at the beginning of the 20th century and much less product designers. The Alma's natural talent for drawing and design were reflected in some of Fabergé's most famous jewelery pieces and in two imperial easter eggs.
Alma's opportunity came when a well-known client, Emanuel Nobel, entrusted the firm with a series of brooches to give away to her 40 best clients and wives. Some brooches that would be hidden in the napkins, with delicate enough not to seem like a bribe but that they were something not seen until then. The task fell to the young Alma who, in the dead of winter, sat at her desk sketching for ideas and began to look at the beautiful shapes of snow when crystallizing on the window surface of it. She would make snowflake brooches out of platinum and tiny diamonds.
The success was such that Dr. Nobel asked the brand for the winter theme monopoly and Fabergé granted it to him on the condition that he let him use it in the Imperial Egg from 1913. So it was.
Winter Egg, 1912–13, designed by Alma Pihl.
CÉSAR, ONE OF THE MOST ENDEARING WORKS
One of the most significant carvings made by Fabergé as part of the Sandringham commission was that of the King Edward VII's favorite dog: Caesar.
After the King's death in 1910, Cesar the dog attended the funeral, dismayed and crestfallen, walking behind the carriage carrying the coffin with a Highland soldier. The image remained in the memory of the entire nation.
A book published in June 1910 called Where is the teacher? (simulating that it was written by Caesar himself) sold more than 100,000 copies.
The tiny Fabergé figure of César is carved from white chalcedony with ruby eyes and an enamel and gold necklace bearing the inscription: "I belong to the King", exactly as he did in real life. The carving was Gifted to the king's widow, Queen Alexandra, as a gift from her for her birthday.
Caesar, by Fabergé, 1910, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Royal Collection Trust.
THE LOST EGGS
Of the seven missing eggs, two are known to have survived the Russian Revolution and finding one of these priceless treasures would make you an instant millionaire. The imperial egg Necessaire was last seen in London in 1952 when it was sold by Fabergé specialists to an unidentified buyer. If you want to see the ones that have survived, you still have time: you can buy your tickets at the V&A Museum website.