Fabergé Eggs: A Retrospective Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

Will Lowes (Author), Christel Ludewig McCanless (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0810839466 | ISBN-13: 978-0810839465 | Publication Date: November 2001

The most complete reference available on Fabergé eggs, the Encyclopedia is the only work of its kind. Lavishly illustrated with beautiful four-color photos.

- The introductory essay is the first ever to outline the personal relationships between the Russian Imperial Court Jeweler, Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920), and the two women he served, the Tsarina Alexandra and her mother-in-law, the Dowager Empress Marie.

- The second essay traces the Imperial Easter eggs after the fall of the Romanov dynasty.

- The main part of the book provides comprehensive information about 66 Fabergé eggs, including the names of the work master and his assistants (where known), the marks, materials used, dimensions, technical descriptions, background notes, provenance detail, all known public exhibitions, and extensive reference citations. The citations cover materials in English, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, and Finnish, and are arranged by types of publication.

- The "Who's Who" section profiles over 500 artisans and companies who worked for, or with, Fabergé . It includes work master marks and important new archival material.

- Appendix I details 16 Fabergé egg auctions. Appendix II (Exhibitions, 1900-1997) describes over 100 Fabergé exhibitions worldwide.

- A glossary completes the volume.

Not just an elegant volume about objets d'art or unequaled majesty, the Encyclopedia is the premier reference work on the subject, compiled by the world's leading experts. Essential for all fine arts and museum libraries; will also be of interest to academic and public libraries, collectors and dealers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...an excellent companion to Fabergé's works, one that will be a major resource for decades to come....short summaries of the meanings behind the themes of the famous eggs, as well as a brief, well-written account of the tragic fates of Nicholas and Alexandra....This book will serve as an excellent guide for those lucky enough to see the exhibits of these exquisite, intricate works of art, and as an invaluable resource for anyone researching the eggs or the House of Fabergé. (Gems & Gemology )

This reference work was a labor of love, undertaken by co-authors who shared a passion and a mission...the authors have been able to unearth a significant amount of new information. Each egg is described in excruciating detail... (Art Documentation )

This publication complements McCanless's Fabergé and His Works: An Annotated Bibliography of the First Century of His Art (Scarecrow Press, 1994). (Art Libraries Journal )

This extensive volume presents the most detailed, technical descriptions available in the existing literature on a total of 66 Fabergé eggs, as well as the stories of people involved in their making, and presentation. (Antiques & Collecting )

...superb and decidedly definitive book...The acknowledgement page alone reads like a who's who of Fabergé experts and it attests to the authors having definitely done their homework. That they have presented their findings in a most readable and useful fashion deserves commendation. The heart of the books is the encyclopedia, which lists each egg and gives its entire known provenance. Those who have an abiding interest in Faberge's eggs will find this text a must for their library....an exceedingly useful and very complete encyclopedia. (Rock And Gem )

The last word on Fabergé eggs...the most exhaustive reference book available on the subject. (The Art Newspaper, Year In Review )

This single-volume encyclopedia presents the most detailed technical descriptions available on 66 Fabergé eggs. It's ideal for future scholars as well as those who simply enjoy the eggs for their beautiful art. The reader will enjoy information about an egg's presentation, debates about particular eggs or details about people involved in their creation. (Huntsville (Alabama) Times )

Will Lowes and Christel McCanless's Fabergé Eggs A Retrospective Encyclopedia is an essential addition to the library of any serious Fabergé enthusiast. On the subject of the fabled Fabergé eggs, they bring together for the first time an enormous quantity of material from numerous sources published and unpublished in a concise and easy to use format. There are many volumes with more beautiful photographs but none with more helpful informative research. (Christopher Forbes )

The authors have conducted a Herculean search for the minutiae of history, exhibitions, bibliographical references and multiple appearances at auction of these eggs, bringing together every scrap of hitherto published material. The second half of the book, also most welcome, is dedicated to short biographies or notes about every single person or firm ever connected, even in the most tenuous manner, to the house of Fabergé, including (in addition to the actual family, craftsmen, designers, sculptors, artists and suppliers), the firm's menial staff, down to office boys and secretaries, a total of over 580 in all! (Dr. Géza von Habsburg )

The pages contain a well-researched, scholarly compilation of all available and relevant details about the Fabergé Eggs. The joint authors of this most valuable encyclopedia are to be congratulated on their dedication and scholarship in converting such a vast amount of hard-to-access facts into such a readable reference. Also the publishers of this encyclopaedia deserve praise for publishing such a fine book. For those gemmologists wishing to increase their knowledge of Fabergé, and his eggs, then this is the reference book for you. (The Australian Gemmologist )

Authors Will Lowes and Christel Ludewig McCanless present a well-researched single-volume encyclopedia offering historical background and technical descriptions of sixty-five Fabergé eggs...This publication would be an excellent addition to the library of a Peter Carl Fabergé enthusiast or a student of Fabergé history and art. (Rocks & Minerals )

The descriptions of the automatons and surprises contained in the delicate Fabergé eggs are rich background material for an opportunity to enjoy and study these eggs. (First Draft )

An astounding piece of work. The information contained in the background notes will fascinate both academics and amateur egg enthusiasts. (Jewelers' Circular Keystone )

About the Author

Will Lowes, a journalist with more than 30 years of experience with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a producer, editor, and public relations director, resides in Adelaide, Australia.
Christel L. McCanless, a library consultant and independent researcher, is the author of the definitive bibliography, Fabergé and His Works: An Annotated Bibliography of the First Century of His Art (Scarecrow Press, 1994).
The authors have also compiled a database, Lowes and McCanless Index to Fabergé at Auction of 19,000 Fabergé objects which have come under the hammer on the world auction market between 1934 and the present.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 344 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810839466
• ISBN-13: 978-0810839465
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #509,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly detailed, June 25, 2004

By 

R. Volzer "risenstardust" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fabergé Eggs: A Retrospective Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This is an amazing book because it is so comprehensive. In all the descriptions, it tells every discrepensy there ever has been and why certain evidence points to the accepted facts. The only thing that makes it hard to read is the lack of pictures. You should buy a good picture book with this to really grasp everything. Otherwise, this is a very good book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Faberge Encyclopedia, May 24, 2007

By 

Penelope N. Ames - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fabergé Eggs: A Retrospective Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This book has a small section of small photos that are not very good quality. All of the 47 known to exist Imperial Eggs are not shown. If you are looking for photos of the Faberge Eggs look elsewhere. If you are looking for 263 pages of print information this is it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic encyclopedia on Fabergé eggs, July 7, 2009

By 

Canudo "Canudo" (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fabergé Eggs: A Retrospective Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

As the title of the book this is an encyclopedia which compiles the basisc data on the Fabergé eggs. I think it is useful for a person studying the subject, but not for a reader only interested in Fabergé.

I have missed a photo next to the the description of each egg, it would have been useful.

Anyway I recommend this book to people with a previous knowledge on the subject Fabergé eggs