BITS ‘N’ PIECES

Narrated by Abdullah (R.A)

Allah’s Apostle (S.A.W) said, “Do not wish to be like anybody except in two cases: The case of a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and that of a man whom Allah has given religious wisdom (i.e., Qur’an and Sunna) and he gives his verdicts according to it and teaches it.” (to others i.e., religious knowledge of Qur’an and Sunna (Prophet’s Traditions)).”

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 92, Number 419

DID YOU KNOW?

The first Fabergé egg was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III as an Easter gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna.

Fabergé eggs, created by the House of Fabergé, a jewelry firm in Russia are primarily associated with the period of Imperial Russia, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Renowned for their intricate design, exquisite detail, and the luxurious materials used, Fabergé eggs have become iconic symbols of artistic achievement and royal extravagance.

The story of Fabergé eggs begins in 1885 when Tsar Alexander III commissioned the first egg as an Easter gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. This inaugural piece, known as the Hen Egg, was crafted from gold and white enamel and contained a surprise: a gold yolk that opened to reveal a golden hen, which in turn held a miniature replica of the imperial crown and a tiny ruby pendant. The Empress was so delighted with this gift that the Tsar decided to commission an egg every Easter thereafter. Following his death, his son, Tsar Nicholas II, continued the tradition, presenting eggs to his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, and his mother, the Dowager Empress.

Peter Carl Fabergé, the mastermind behind these creations, was appointed as the court jeweler and given complete creative freedom. This led to the production of some of the most elaborate and imaginative pieces ever seen. Each egg was unique, featuring an array of precious metals, gemstones, and enamel work. The eggs often contained intricate surprises inside, ranging from miniature portraits to mechanical wonders.

A total of 50 Imperial Fabergé eggs were created, of which 43 have survived. These masterpieces were not only artistic marvels but also engineering feats. Some eggs had elaborate mechanisms, such as the 1900 Trans-Siberian Railway Egg, which featured a tiny working model of a steam locomotive.

The Russian Revolution in 1917 brought an abrupt end to the Romanov dynasty and the tradition of Fabergé eggs. Many eggs were lost, stolen, or sold during the chaotic period following the revolution. However, those that survived have become prized collector’s items, fetching millions of dollars at auctions and being displayed in museums around the world.

Fabergé eggs have transcended their origins as royal gifts to become symbols of a bygone era of opulence and grandeur. Their legacy endures through their influence on jewelry design and their status as cultural treasures. The meticulous craftsmanship and artistic ingenuity behind each egg continue to captivate collectors, historians, and art enthusiasts, preserving the legacy of the House of Fabergé as one of the pinnacle achievements in decorative arts.