Faberge egg estimated to sell for more than 20million at London auction

"Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, it was transferred from St Petersburg to the Kremlin Armoury in Moscow along with many other valuable possessions of the royal family. In the 1920s the Soviet government began selling off art treasures from the Hermitage Museum and other collections, often for only a fraction of their value. The Winter Egg was acquired by antiques dealers Wartski of London for 450, and then sold to a British collector in 1934 for 1,500, before later being sold on to another. It was believed lost for two decades between 1975 and 1994, when it was sold at Christie's for a world record sum of 7,263,500 Swiss francs (6.8 million) In 2002 it was once again sold by Christie's, again selling at a world record of 9,579,000 US dollars (7.1 million)."

"It is a privilege for Christie's to be entrusted with the sale of the exquisite Winter Egg by Faberge for the third time in its history. With only six other Imperial Easter Eggs remaining in private collections, this is an extraordinary chance for collectors to acquire what is arguably one of Faberge's finest creations, both technically and artistically. It would undoubtedly enhance the most distinguished collection."

"The Winter Egg is estimated to sell for more than 20 million (Christie's Images Ltd 2025/PA) It is finely carved in rock crystal and engraved on the interior with a frost design, while the exterior is applied with rose-cut diamond-set platinum snowflake motifs."

The Winter Egg was commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II in 1913 as an Easter gift for Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. After the 1917 Revolution it was moved from St Petersburg to the Kremlin Armoury in Moscow. The Soviet government sold many art treasures in the 1920s; the Winter Egg was bought by Wartski of London for 450 and later sold in 1934 for 1,500. The egg was missing from about 1975 until its 1994 sale for 7,263,500 Swiss francs and its 2002 sale for $9,579,000. The rock crystal egg features engraved frost motifs and rose-cut diamond-set platinum snowflake decorations and is now estimated to fetch more than $20 million at auction in London.

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