"(CNN) One of the last Faberge eggs in private hands sold Tuesday for 22.9 million ($30.2 million), with fees, breaking its own record as the most expensive work by the Russian jeweler ever to appear at auction. Commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II as a gift for his mother in 1913, the Winter Egg went to an unidentified buyer following a 3-minute bidding battle at Christie's auction house in London. The record sum exceeded Christie's pre-sale estimate of 20 million ($26 million)."
"The astronomical price tag reflects the growing rarity of the House of Faberge's Imperial Eggs, none of which has been seen at auction in over 23 years. The historic St. Petersburg jewelry house only ever made 50 of them, and the Winter Egg is one of just seven left in private hands. The others are either missing or owned by institutions or museums."
"Made primarily from rock crystal, or clear quartz, the Winter Egg was designed to resemble a block of ice dusted with frost. Its exterior features a snowflake motif made from platinum and 4,500 rose-cut diamonds. Inside lies one of Faberge's signature surprises: a tiny hanging basket filled with wood anemones made from white quartz, nephrite and garnets. The Winter Egg's design was unusually for the time the work of a female jeweler, Alma Pihl."
The Winter Egg, commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II in 1913 as a gift for his mother, fetched 22.9 million (about $30.2 million) including fees at Christie's in London. The price exceeded a 20 million (about $26 million) pre-sale estimate and set a new auction record for Fabergé. Only 50 Imperial Eggs were ever made; seven remain in private hands while others are missing or institutional. The Winter Egg is primarily rock crystal, with a platinum and 4,500 rose-cut diamond snowflake motif, and contains a miniature hanging basket with wood anemones of white quartz, nephrite and garnets. The design was created by female jeweler Alma Pihl.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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