Nickolai Gurgeiff - Egg Pendants

Carl Faberge was once asked in an interview for a fashionable St. Petersburg magazine of 1916 about the little objects of fantasy that began to be made by the firm in the 1880s: "Who buys such things?". Decorated simply but with a touch of elegance, these things were a departure from the more ornate styles and heavy objects of the mid-19th century. "There are people", he answered, "who are long tired of diamonds and pearls Fire

and to whom it is not always convenient to give a valuable gift. Such a little thing is suitable." A fascinating commentary on Russian society at that time! With the variety of decorative and functional objects such as easter egg, pendants, picture frames, clocks, bell pushes, desk sets, albums, folios and cigarette cases created in his workshops, Faberge brought the art of the goldsmith and jeweler into everyday society life. Many of these objects could be personalized with a photograph or commemorative inscription - something "suitable" from Faberge.