History Fabergé

The history of Fabergé is inextricably linked with that of Russia, reflecting both the decadence of its Imperial past and the aftermath of its revolution. Gustave Fabergé moved to St Petersburg from Estonia in the 1830s to train as a goldsmith. After becoming a Master Goldsmith, he founded the House of Fabergé in 1842.

His son, Peter Carl Fabergé, was the one who took the family name to great heights. His work caught the eye of Tsar Alexander III, who bestowed upon his House the title of Imperial goldsmith in 1885, thus beginning their association with the Russian tsars.

It was then that the tradition of the Imperial Easter Eggs began, as the Tsar commissioned one every year for his Empress.

The House of Fabergé made 54 Imperial eggs for the royal family in total, of which 42 remains to this day.

Carl was also renowned for his full range of jewellery, and miniature hardstone carvings of people, animals and flowers that were embellished with precious metals and stones. By the early 20th century, Fabergé employed about 500 craftsmen and designers, and had branches in Moscow, Odessa, Kiev and London. Their success, however, was short-lived.

In 1918, at the height of the Russian revolution, the Bolsheviks nationalised the company. Carl was forced to flee to Germany and then Switzerland, where he eventually passed away in 1920.

His sons tried to keep the family name alive, but in the late 1930s, the Fabergé name was used to brand a new perfume business.

Due to financial reason, the descendents of Fabergé were forced to settle out of court and lost their rights to the name.

When Pallinghurst Resources acquired the name in 2007, Fabergé’s descendents were finally welcomed back to re-establish the House of Fabergé, which now operates from London. Carl’s two surviving great-granddaughters, Tatiana and Sarah Fabergé, and Fabergé expert John Andrew, now serve on the Fabergé Heritage Council and advise the company on the brand’s heritage and values.