Jewellery & Watch News
The House of Fabergé extend their popular objet d’art collection with a pair of stunning 10-piece limited edition egg objets, each inspired by the legendary flower studies of Peter Carl Fabergé. The Fabergé Wild Strawberry Egg dressed in red enamel and the Fabergé Water Lily Egg Objet finished in blue are destined to be lifelong heirlooms and must-haves for collectors.
Among some of Peter Carl Fabergé’s most celebrated creations are his flower studies in rock crystal vases. Crafted in the early 20th century, these breathtaking designs were carved in hardstone, enamel and gold, capturing blossoming flowers in gemstones like emeralds, padparadscha sapphires and raspberry rubies paired with pink spinels, mint tourmalines, tanzanites, moonstones and opals. It is believed that Fabergé was inspired by Chinese art, in particular a bunch of chrysanthemums Fabergé were called upon to repair owned by the Chinese emperor. Of the many botanical-inspired studies Fabergé created, only around 80 are thought to survive with most of them held in the Royal Collection.
Thankfully for those of us not in reach of the Royal Collection, Fabergé have launched two breathtaking limited edition egg objects inspired by the very same flower studies. It includes a Fabergé Wild Strawberry Egg Objet and a Fabergé Water Lily Egg Objet, the creation of both overseen by Fabergé Workmaster, Dr. Marcus Mohr. Dr. Mohr and his team have elected guilloche enamel as their centrepiece embellishment, a time-honoured technique of which Fabergé has mastered for over a century.
For those unfamiliar with the beauty and fragility of enamelling, it is an outwardly magical process which sees powered coloured glass bonded to a surface using heat of around 800 degrees centigrade. The process is incredibly delicate; just a few seconds too long or too short in the kiln and the entire objet d’art must be started over from scratch. The Fabergé Wild Strawberry and Water Lily Egg Objets are no different and have been meticulously powdered and hand-painted to give them their rich colour and unique texture. It has taken at least three layers and five firings in the kiln to create the final effect.
Fabergé Wild Strawberry 18k Yellow Gold Red Guilloche Enamel Egg Objet
Appealing to those of us with a penchant for sweet tasting fruit, the Fabergé Wild Strawberry Egg Objet delivers rare enamel in bright red across the solid 18 carat yellow gold egg. The egg sits at 75mm high standing on a matching yellow gold guilloche base with a beautifully contrasting hand-carved aventurine stand. The base also features a fluted gold setting, a characteristic familiar to historic creations by Peter Carl Fabergé.
Upon pressing the Gemfields Mozambican cabochon ruby button at the centre of the egg objet, you’ll be greeted to the captivating hidden strawberry surprise inside. The strawberry plant is crafted from 18 carat yellow gold and hand-painted in red enamel while the leaves opt for enamel in green. At the heart of the plant, a single flower made up of six Akoya cultured pearl petals and a yellow sapphire add another touch of playful colour. Around the gold guilloche base on which the strawberry sits, there’s also a unique serrated pattern designed to evoke the shape of leaves.
Fabergé Water Lily 18k Yellow Gold Blue Guilloche Enamel Egg Objet
As for the beautifully pastel Fabergé Water Lily Egg Objet, Dr. Marcus Mohr and his team have opted for blue enamel across the 18 carat yellow gold egg and a carved nephrite base. This design stands a little taller at 77mm and opts for a stunning filigree-like base to evoke the shape of petals finished in gold. Around the base is a selection of white Akoya cultured pearls.
For the main surprise element, the egg opens by a responsibly sourced Gemfields Zambian emerald square cut button to reveal the waterlily inside. The flower is crafted from hand-carved Peruvian pink opal and at the centre, features an intricate 18 carat yellow gold stigma set with a single brilliant cut white diamond. The waterlily sits on a green enamel leaf which looks as though it is floating in its own pool of gold guilloche water.
If you’d like to learn more about the Fabergé Wild Strawberry Egg Objet and a Fabergé Water Lily Egg Objet and purchase one of the rare 10-piece limited editions for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with our team of Fabergé specialists by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
