Get to Know The House of Fabergé

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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name, “Fabergé?” Yep. Those nifty Russian eggs. However, there’s more to The House of Fabergé than just stunning enameled and bejeweled eggs.


The Fabergé family has its roots in France, where in the Seventeenth Century, their name was recorded as Favri. Over two hundred fifty thousand French Protestants (known as Huguenots) fled the country around 1685 due to the anti-Protestant campaigns in France. Among them was the Favri family. As they traveled throughout Europe, the Favri name changes several times-- Favry, Fabri, Fabrier and by 1825, to Fabergé. They worked mainly as tobacco planters. Then, in 1830, Gustav Fabergé traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, to train to be a master goldsmith.

Diamond and Aquamarine Brooch
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Gustav Fabergé, in 1842, opened a jewelry shop in a Russian basement. At the time, the name appealed to the Russian nobility who favored French design and culture so much so that French was the language of the court. The Fabergé line became quite popular. Gustav later married Charlotte Jungstedt, the daughter of a Danish Painter. Their son, Carl Fabergé would carry on the family name. Known as a master designer and craftsman, Carl was invited to repair the valuable objects at the Hermitage Museum.

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Under Carl’s direction, The House of Fabergé thrived. In 1885 saw the start of a tradition when Tsar Alexander III commissioned the House of Fabergé to make an Easter egg to be presented to Empress Maria Fedorovna. The tradition of the Tsar making of gift of a magnificent jeweled and enameled egg each Easter continued until 1917. Forty-two of these remarkable eggs survive.

The House of Fabergé created a full line of opulent jewelry and decorative items in their signature enamel. They also produced fine glass and silver designs. Their works graced the bodies and homes of royalty, nobility and the most elite.

The Russian Revolution proved problematic for this prominent family with ties to the Imperial Court. Imprisonment, terror and illness marked a dozen years of their lives. Finally, the family again settled in France, opening a shop in Paris.

Since then, the Fabergé name has been sold to numerous corporations. The name was used for a variety of products including fragrances and cosmetics. In 2009, Fabergé Limited launched a new up-market jewelry line in the tradition of Carl Fabergé. The name will always be associated with the most opulent works—true pieces of art which will be treasured for centuries to come.

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