Christie’s London will be presenting the Fabergé Winter Egg of 1913 at auction on 2nd December 2025, with an estimate on request in excess of € 20 million.
The Fabergé Winter Egg was commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II as an Easter gift for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna in 1913. The exquisite creation was designed by Fabergé highly celebrated female designer, Alma Pihl and it was executed by her uncle, workmaster Albert Holmström – a serendipitous anecdote is that today, 2nd October, commemorates Holmström’s birthday.
The Winter Egg encapsulates the essence of winter in a frozen wonderland, through the interplay between carved rock crystal and white diamonds. The egg is crafted from rock crystal as thin as glass, embellished with engraving along with platinum and diamonds to resemble frosts. The egg rests on a rock crystal base designed, and carved, to resemble block of melting ice. As with all Fabergé eggs, the creation opens to reveal a surprise nestled inside – on this occasion, a delicate bouquet of wood anemones which appear to burst through the frosts. The flowers are made from white quartz, nephrite, demantoid garnets and gold, and they emerge from moss made of green gold. The overall height is 14.2cm, and the creation is set with a total of 3,246 diamonds.
The Fabergé Winter Egg will be auctioned in Christie’s sale The Winter Egg and Important Works by Fabergé from a Princely Collection on 2nd December 2025.
Main Image: The Fabergé Winter Egg Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2025