Russian Culture Faberge Eggs
Feb 25, 2016
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