Russian Culture

Faberge Eggs

What will we learn?

• How do treasured items reflect personal values as well as values of a specific time and culture. (Social Studies Standard 4)

• How to create an object that communicates the personal and cultural significance of their family's treasured items. (Visual Arts Standard 1)

• How have people combined written accounts of personal histories with interpretations of treasured items as they relate to cultural values. (Language Arts Standard 2)

The History of the House of Fabergé

• The House of Faberge traces its family roots from northern France (the Favris)

• By the early 1800s the (now) Fabergé's were located in Estonia

• In 1842, Gustav Fabergé opened his jewelry shop in a basement shop in St. Petersburg, Russia– Sons Carl and Agathon eventually

take over the business

The Symbol of the Egg

• The egg is seen by followers of Christianity as a symbol of resurrection– Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, Easter

eggs are dyed red to represent blood– Hard shell of the egg symbolized the sealed tomb

of Christ– Eggs are blessed and given out by preists on Holy

Saturday– Thus: the tradition of giving egg shaped jewelry!

Ukrainian Pysanky

Croatian Pisanica

Polish Pisanka

Eastertide Egg Pendants

The History of the House of Fabergé

• French was the language of the Russian Court and the urban nobility

• All things “French” were associated with luxury items and wealth

• Faberge was French!

The Rise of Fabergé

• The small business began repairing pieces for the Hermitage Museum

• Tsar Alexander III declared the House of Faberge "Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown", beginning an association with the Russian tsars.

The History of the Fabergé Egg

• Between 1885 and 1917, the Fabergé were most famously made for the Romanov tsars (Alexander III and Nicholas II)– The Imperial Fabergé Eggs– 50 were made and 42 survived– 2 more were made, but were

not given to the tsar before his assassination

The History of the Fabergé Egg

• Made of precious metals or hard stones

• Decorated with combinations of enamel and gem stones.

• Fabergé eggs have become a symbol of luxury,

• Regarded as masterpieces of the jeweler's art

• Tsars’ only requirement: each must contain a surprise

The Hen, 1885

Danish Palaces,

1890

Bay Tree Egg, 1911

The Coronation Egg, 1897

The Czarevich Egg, 1912

Lilies of the Valley Egg, 1898

The Spring Flowers Egg, 1890

Significance• What did the Fabergé Eggs Mean to the

Romanovs?– Tradition, beauty, wealth, privilege, importance of

family memories)• What did the eggs come to later symbolize for

the Soviets? – Indulgences of the Russian Czar, contrast to the

plight of the Russian people, source of income by selling them

Make Your Own Faberge Egg