Rare Imperial Fabergé Egg Goes Up for Sale — Could Fetch Over £20 Million
This week, a true treasure of imperial Russian craftsmanship — The Winter Egg by Fabergé — is heading to auction in London, with experts predicting it could sell for more than £20 million (roughly US $26 million). Reuters+2AP News+2
A Jewel from a Lost Dynasty
The Winter Egg was commissioned in 1913 by Tsar Nicholas II as an Easter gift for his mother, Maria Feodorovna. Wikipedia+1
Crafted by designer Alma Pihl, it is one of the most stunning pieces ever created by Fabergé: a rock-crystal shell etched with delicate snowflake motifs, set in platinum and encrusted with thousands of diamonds — and when opened, reveals a tiny basket of jewel-studded quartz flowers. AP News+2thejewelleryeditor.com+2
About 43 imperial Fabergé eggs survive today — but only a handful remain in private hands. The Winter Egg is among those rare few, making it one of the most coveted objects in the world of decorative art. Artnet News+2CBS News+2
A History of Record-Breaking Sales
Rare Faberge egg set to smash sales record at London auction
The first time the Winter Egg went under the hammer was in 1994 at Christie’s Geneva — then selling for 7.3 million Swiss francs. In 2002, it changed hands again for US $9.6 million at Christie’s New York. Wikipedia+1
Now, as the piece re-emerges onto the market, it carries a staggering estimate well beyond previous records. If it sells for the predicted amount, it could become the most expensive Fabergé egg ever auctioned — a title that has long captured the imaginations of collectors worldwide. Forbes+2Boing Boing+2
Why This Sale Is a Big Deal
Rare Fabergé egg expected to sell for more than $26 million | AP News
Unmatched craftsmanship & heritage: The Winter Egg represents the artistry and extravagance of the late Romanov court — a frozen moment of imperial splendour preserved in crystal, diamond, and platinum. For many, it’s more than an object — it’s a symbol of history, beauty, and cultural legacy.
Extreme rarity: With so few imperial eggs left in private hands, opportunities to acquire such a piece are virtually nonexistent. Owning one is among the highest honours in the world of fine art and historical collectibles.
Record-setting potential: At a time when interest in rare artifacts and decorative arts is booming, this auction could reshape market expectations — not just for Fabergé eggs, but for high-end collectibles in general.
What Could Unlock the New Record?
As the auction date approaches:
Bidders from around the world — private collectors, museums, even national institutions — are expected to compete fiercely.
Provenance, condition, and the sheer historical weight of the Winter Egg will likely spur bidding wars, pushing the final price far beyond the pre-sale estimate.
Given growing interest in Russian imperial artifacts and their rarity, some believe the Winter Egg could sell for well over £20 million, possibly reaching prices few decorative art pieces ever see.
