Jewellery & Watch News
Image courtesy of Fabergé
Fabergé and James Bond reveal the first in a series of jewellery and objet collections celebrating the 007 archive. The debut Fabergé x 007 capsule collection is inspired by the iconic James Bond film Octopussy (1983) and includes a hand-crafted limited-edition egg objet, and special edition egg surprise locket.
This unique collection is set to delight both admirers and collectors of Fabergé and James Bond. Easter 2024 sees the Fabergé x 007 partnership turn the page to its next chapter, following the initial partnership announcement in 2022 that revealed the forthcoming one-of-a-kind Fabergé x 007 Egg Objet. The first in a series, each collection will take inspiration from a James Bond film. It was perfectly fitting that the debut collection takes inspiration from the iconic Octopussy (1983), which featured a plot line centred around an elaborate Fabergé egg heist.
The first pieces to be revealed in the Fabergé x 007 Octopussy collection are the Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet and Fabergé x 007 Special Edition Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket. Designed by Fabergé Head of Design, Liisa Tallgren, and overseen by Fabergé Creative Director, Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, the design of these pieces is a symphony of past, present and future, with nods to the legendary Octopussy film.
The hand-crafted Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet is limited to just 50 numbered pieces and stands at 8.4cm tall, crafted from 18k yellow gold and hand-painted with a rich green enamel, carefully selected for its similarity to the enamel used on the Fabergé egg featured in the film Octopussy. A mesmerising pattern is visible underneath the lustrous enamel – a combination of Fabergé’s signature guilloché, accompanied by an intricate artwork of engraved octopus tentacles which mysteriously wrap around the egg. These tentacles feature minute detail, and provide a level of depth and intrigue to the piece. The application is a highly skilled technique which takes absolute precision and patience, and is so complex that one week’s work is reserved for this alone. The egg is mounted on a stand which is reminiscent of that featured on the Fabergé egg from the film, set with white diamonds and blue sapphires.
Image courtesy of Fabergé
At the centre of the egg your eye is drawn into the gold 007 logo, which marks the point of entry into discovering the signature Fabergé surprise hidden within. The egg opens to reveal an 18k yellow gold octopus nestled inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes. The octopus surprise pays homage to the eponymous antagonist at the centre of the Octopussy film. This is also a nod to Peter Carl Fabergé, who was renowned for his quirky little animal studies, both created as charms and as ornaments in hardstone. The accentuation of specific characteristics of each subject also gave them distinctive personalities. Fabergé combined these hardstones with precious metals and gems, seamlessly integrating each with the other to create miniature works of art; this octopus will be one to add to the history books.
"Whilst work is continuing on the development of a large-scale one-of-a-kind Fabergé x 007 Egg Objet, we’re very proud to be unveiling this Octopussy capsule collection. Continuing our special partnership with EON Productions and the James Bond franchise we decided the surprise inside this first capsule collection had to be an octopus, in dedication to the eponymous antagonist at the heart of the film. ‘Octopussy' is a powerful businesswoman and jewel-smuggler who leads the all-female Octopus Cult, and her name derives from her favourite octopus, the Blue Ringed Octopus, which she keeps as a pet. The octopus surprise inside the Fabergé x 007 Egg Objet and Egg Surprise Locket encapsulates her strong character”. Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, Fabergé Creative Director.
The very first Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet has taken seven months to be created, and the piece has been brought to life by the hands of 12 specialists, working across nine individual crafts including spinning, dye stamping, casting, goldsmithing, guilloché engraving, hand-engraving, enamelling, setting and polishing.
Image courtesy of Fabergé
With perfection comes patience, as each piece exemplifies the very finest craftsmanship and time-honoured techniques that Fabergé is renowned for. Each objet will take approximately six months to complete, passing through the hands of many skilled artisans at the workshop in Germany. The production of each egg objet is overseen by a Fabergé Workmaster who’s family have practiced the art of enamel for four generations.
Alongside the Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet is the Fabergé x 007 Special Edition Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket. The exterior of the egg closely follows the design of the Fabergé egg featured in the film Octopussy, with a beautiful 18k gold lattice framework which is delicately set with blue sapphires and white diamonds in a floral-like design. The egg’s surface features a geometric guilloché engraved pattern, to juxtapose the more organic shape of the egg, and each piece has been decorated with green enamel to perfectly pair with the egg objet. Subtle nods are woven into the design, including the bail of the locket which takes its inspiration from the letter ‘O’ in the film’s title treatment.
Image courtesy of Fabergé
In true Fabergé style, the beautiful egg locket also offers a surprise – opening to reveal a miniature 18k gold octopus inside, capturing the spirit of the film’s namesake. The octopus has been set with two black diamond eyes.
”The Fabergé x 007 Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket closely follows the design of the Fabergé egg that was featured in the film Octopussy. I introduced a different style of guilloché underneath the enamel which works better with the scale and size of the egg locket. The geometric style guilloché engraving perfectly complements the intricate latticework of the piece, and feels contemporary. I also wanted to incorporate the iconic letter ‘O’ from the Octopussy film’s title treatment in a playful way, which you can see featured as the bail on the piece”. Liisa Tallgren, Fabergé Head of Design.
The Fabergé x 007 collection is now available to pre-order at C W Sellors. For more information please contact sales@cwsellors.com or speak to a member of our C W Sellors sales team today on 01335 216004. Destined to interest collectors and aficionados all around the world, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to own pieces inspired by cinematic history.
