Faberge: Fantasies & Treasures [Hardcover]

Archduke Giza Von Habsburg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1996

Carl Faberge's unparalleled creativity and craftsmanship won him the recognition of the Russian Imperial Court at the turn of the last century. Few objects are as universally loved as his jewel-encrusted Easter eggs crafted for the last two czars of Russia, each containing a surprise. Featured in this delightful introduction to the House of Faberge is a selection of his most celebrated works that have found their way into American collections. Easter eggs are just a portion of this master's prodigious production which comprised over 150,000 jewels, silver pieces, and objects of art. The latter are fantasies in gold, enamel, and hardstone and include elegant picture frames and cigarette cases created for the ruling families of Europe and other wealthy patrons. Intimate glimpses into the world of this ingenious designer are captured through excerpts from letters and quotes from an adoring press. The Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna exclaimed upon receiving a Faberge egg, "It is an unbelievably beautiful and superbly fine piece of work. Faberge is the greatest genius of our time...." The fifty-four choice objects, beautifully photographed, are from American public and private collections. The book also contains a chronology and a reading list

Editorial Reviews

Review

This introduction to the House of Faberge provides a strong representation of the master's jewelry productions, choosing over fifty objects from public and private holdings and pairing fine photos with art descriptions. An involving and basic introduction to Faberge's works. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Universe; F edition (February 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789300192
• ISBN-13: 978-0789300195
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure in Itself, May 11, 2003

By 

BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faberge: Fantasies & Treasures (Hardcover)

This is a companion book to the catalog of the traveling Faberge exhibit, written by the exhibit's curator who is also a Faberge expert. It shows Faberge art in American collections, acquired over the past 100 years.

Part of the focus is on Faberge's famous Easter eggs, the majority of which belong to American collectors, but the book also presents gold, enamel, and hardstone pieces by the artist-jeweler.

Carl Faberge joined his father's jewelry business in St. Petersburg, Russia. During the last quarter of the 19th century, an archaeological revival in jewelry was in fashion. Carl copied antique Greek jewelry and exhibited it, under the patronage of Czar Alexander III. This was a great success, and afterwards he branched out from making conventional French-style jewelry to making art pieces (such as enameled gold snuffboxes and the first of his Easter eggs). He gained international fame and more honors were bestowed on him. His workshops produced an endless stream of objects of incredible beauty and workmanship.

A total of 56 of Faberge's eggs were made: 44 survive and two are known only from photos. Most were made for the royal family of Russia. The preparation alone to make an egg could last as long as two years.

Despite the fame of his Easter eggs, they were just a minute part of what Faberge produced. His 500 craftsmen designed and made over 150,000 pieces of jewelry and other art objects. Most of the jewelry was destroyed after the Revolution - only smaller objects survived this purge. The silver objects that survived were mostly functional ones - others were melted down.

Fantasy objects, many made of gold and "hardstones", brought Faberge his greatest fame. His most zealously guarded secret was the process used to make his enamels.

Faberge fled Russia in 1918 and died in Switzerland two years later.

I learned so much from this little book...well worth reading!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Faberge: Fantasies & Treasures (Hardcover)

This is a delightful little book to brouse and enjoy. The chapters give a brief overview of many Faberge subjects. I love the stories about the pieces - especially about who owned them.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating topic with close-up views of these famous Russian treasures, August 11, 2010

By 

Roxanne Mchenry "eBook Publishing Expert, Wri... (Montana) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Faberge: Fantasies & Treasures (Hardcover)

This book made a nice companion to a faux Faberge egg I gave as a gift. Besides a listing of all the Faberge eggs created, you'll see close-up photographs of the eggs in known existence and other exquisite Faberge treasures. For a collector or someone interested in antiquities, the book includes the story of Faberge himself and more background about his work and the beautiful work he produced.