Jewellery & Watch News
The exuberant Bloom Egg lockets by Faberge take inspiration from Peter Carl Faberge’s studies on flora and embrace the beauty of blooming flowers through meticulous works of art that remind us of the wonders of nature’s treasures.
Elegant, stretching waterlilies, wild roses, vibrant anemones and strawberry surprises - the latest Faberge Egg Lockets to feature in the brand’s Heritage collection, are colourful, playful interpretations of natural plants and fruit and are sure to make for the perfect little stocking-filler this Christmas 2024. But how did creations like these evolve into the beloved masterpieces they are today? Let’s take a look at these new additions and their origins.
The Origins of the Faberge Egg
Faberge is most famous for its elaborate egg designs. The origins of these innovative creations harken back to a time when the company began gifting them to the Russian royal family. Ever since then, they have become an emblematic showpiece of the modern lady’s jewellery collection and a symbol of the brand’s world-renowned success. Some of the latest additions to the family belong to the Bloom Egg Lockets collection, which we’ll explore a little deeper in the article. First, a glance at the brand’s House history and how these prestigious eggs came to be coveted, valuables to discerning collectors far and wide.
The House of Faberge opened in 1842, soon becoming one of the top Jewellers in Russia. Peter Carl Faberge, son of company founder Gustav Faberge, catapulted the brand to success but the notoriety of the eggs wouldn’t materialise until the late 19th century. In 1885, Tsar Alexander III of Russia commissioned Faberge to create a gold and enamel egg whose shell would crack to showcase a delicate golden egg. Thanks to the popularity of this unique design, Faberge created more eggs, including 50 Imperial Eggs for the Russian royal family over a 20-year duration.
Part of the appeal of these Faberge Eggs was their visible attention to detail. Each design, (including the new releases from Faberge) requires a lot of intensive handiwork. These gold and silver eggs were developed from a blueprint and served as the basis for each unique and elaborate design. Artisans at the company would then apply gems, special engravings and enamel work to the finished piece, stamping each one with the unique Faberge touch. Inside each egg bore a surprise – sometimes a mechanical centrepiece, an iconic character, or a clock. Unsurprisingly, these mysterious designs became alluring and exciting items to collect. They were able to capture the expertise and extraordinary craftsmanship behind each meticulous creation and the level of skill required of each artisan behind the scenes at Faberge. Even more fascinating was the length involved in each design, many Imperial Eggs of which could take several months or even years to complete.
The Patterns
One of the most appealing aspects of the Faberge Eggs collection is the sheer amount of variation between the designs. While some are elaborately decorated, others are understated and graceful, ensuring a design for everyone can be found. Whether crafted from rare precious metals or diamond studded, many of these designs are a nod to a historical occurrence. Others pay reference to a significant, personal moment in a Royal family’s life. Others were designed as a commemoration of a popular festival or an important date. For example in 1897, Faberge created The Coronation Egg for Tsar Nicholas II, which became one of the most iconic designs of all time. Revealed inside the egg was a miniature gold and diamond egg that portrayed the coronation ritual through its design. Also, the Rosebud Egg, released the year after, showcased a stunning gold and enamel rose at its centre.
Clearly, flora has been a strong source of inspiration for Faberge. Many of the company’s designs leave a legacy of beauty behind and a story to tell of the brand’s survival throughout the Russian Empire even after the House of Faberge was forced to shut down. In fact, those products designed during this period are valuable investment pieces today, and highly sought after across the market.
Aficionado or not, however, Faberge Eggs are appreciated by connoisseurs across the globe and sell for exorbitant sums on the market. Thanks to new and more modern designs by Faberge, the company’s Eggs are just as popular today as they ever were, and the new Bloom designs are evidence of that.
The Faberge Bloom Egg Locket Designs
The designs from the Faberge Bloom Egg Lockets collection fuse the iconic egg with Peter Carl’s floral studies and are destined to become family heirlooms. The pieces are limited in numbers and are part of an exclusive production run. The designs are brought to life by the human hand and celebrate nature, the past, the present, and the future. Each design is overseen by Dr Marcus Mohr who collaborated with a small team in Germany to explore these new and innovative designs, all bearing a touch of historical significance.
Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond Turquoise Guilloche Enamel Twin Flower Surprise Locket 1151FP3642
The Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond & Turquoise Guilloché Enamel Twin Flower Surprise Locket is a colourful collectable that delivers a vibrant parcel of colour, along with artisanal finishes and a vibrant green and pink guilloché enamel centrepiece. A generous sprinkling of scintillating round white diamonds, encased in velvety 18ct yellow gold, brings the entire design to life. The locket opens to reveal an 18k yellow gold pink guilloché enamel twin flower, set with a glistening white round diamond.
Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond Red Guilloche Enamel Wild Rose Surprise Locket 1151FP3640
The Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond & Red Guilloché Enamel Wild Rose Surprise Locket features red guilloché enamelling upon its gold and diamond decorated shell. The 18ct yellow gold finishes are hand-applied using some of the brand’s most complex traditional techniques. The locket opens to reveal an 18k yellow gold pink guilloché enamel wild rose, with petals meticulously designed and a breathtaking white round-brilliant cut diamond positioned at the centre.
Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond Red Guilloche Enamel Strawberry Surprise Locket 1151FP3639
Two juicy strawberries reveal themselves from the heart of this Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond & Red Guilloché Enamel Strawberry Surprise Locket. The red and green guilloché enamel for the leaves and fruit is vibrant, contrasting with the pearl strawberry flowers and the 18ct yellow gold detailing on the shell. Of course, the surface of the egg is also decorated with diamonds that catch the light magnificently. The locket itself hangs from an 18ct yellow gold chain and comes beautifully packaged in a Faberge presentation box with a certificate of authenticity.
Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond Purple Guilloche Enamel Anemone Surprise Locket 1151FP3638
The Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond & Purple Guilloché Enamel Anemone Surprise Locket features purple guilloché enamel and round white diamonds in a breath-taking fusion of colour, texture and craftsmanship. Set in 18ct yellow gold, the locket opens to reveal an 18ct yellow gold purple guilloché enamel anemone flower, adorned with purple and blue guilloché enamel finishings. The anemone is set with round brilliant-cut diamonds on the surface of the shell and an emerald gemstone placed at the heart of the egg itself.
Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond Red Guilloche Enamel Ladybird Surprise Locket 1151FP3571
Ladybird lovers will fall head over heels for this Faberge locket. Celebrating the art of guilloche, the Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond Red Guilloche Enamel Ladybird Surprise Locket is in keeping with the brand’s fondness for delight, surprise and discovery. Faberge has concealed a ladybird inside, decorated with red and black enamel and a beautiful red enamel and 18ct yellow gold shell encrusted with round brilliant-cut diamonds. The locket is 22mm and comes with an 18ct yellow gold chain.
Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond Green Guilloche Enamel Clover Surprise Locket 1151FP3572
The Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond & Green Guilloche Enamel Clover Surprise Locket features turquoise guilloche enamel and round white diamonds that catch the light majestically while set in 18ct yellow gold. The four-leaf clover, decorated with green enamel inside the locket, will bring an innovative touch of vibrance to any lady’s collection and measures a diameter of 22mm. The locket also comes with a 50cm 18ct yellow gold chain.
Faberge Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond & Gold Guilloché Enamel Cactus Surprise Locket 1151FP3637
The Heritage Yellow Gold Diamond & Gold Guilloché Enamel Cactus Surprise Locket from Faberge features gold guilloché enamel and round white diamonds, enrobed in 18ct yellow gold. This surprise locket is a collectable that opens to reveal a delicate 18ct yellow gold green guilloché enamel cactus inside, complete with a carved carnelian flower, set with a mesmerising round yellow sapphire.
These new Faberge Bloom Egg lockets represent some of the most prominent moments in the brand’s approach to art and culture. These exquisite designs will always have a lasting legacy and continue to inspire lovers of elaborate, meticulously crafted jewellery designs. If you’d like more information on any of the new Faberge Bloom Egg lockets, please contact a member of our sales team here at C W Sellors on 01335 216004 or email us at sales@cwsellors.com.
