A SURPRISE EGG

16 April 2019

1.82k

Easter is just around the corner, and that means a delicious breakfast celebrated in the company of your loved ones. An Easter menu’s must-haves are naturally eggs, and they come in many shapes: sunny side-up, soft-boiled, poached or as delicious omeletts. Although, if you asked which eggs are number one for us, then we would have to admit that there is nothing better than Fabergé!

Let’s go back to the late 1800s

Fabergé Eggs evoke the splendor of tsarist Russia and have us step back in time to the period that embodied romanticism. Those gold works of art originated in the famous atelier of Peter Carl Fabergé, goldsmith and jeweler to the Russian Imperial Court. The imperial eggs were made from gold, silver, precious stones, ivory and mother of pearl, and were commissioned as the traditional and exceptionally precious Easter gifts that Alexander III, and later his son, Nicholas II, presented to their wives. Each egg contained a unique surprise – just as elaborate and precious as the packaging itself. And although the last Fabergé egg was made in 1917, the tsarist trinkets still stir the emotions. No wonder then that this history inspired designer Ewę Lewanowicz to create an extraordinary collection of jewelry. In her works, Lewanowicz combined, with astonishing flair, a splendor and romantic note intrinsic to the eastern cultures. She created a collection of earrings, necklaces and bracelets that have become the gifts for the most important women in our lives.

Fabergé today

When creating new collections, I often reach into history to show the transforming woman and her influence on the development of art. The story of Fabergé eggs has inspired me not only because they are the most precious jewels in the world, but I was also drawn to the love story they contained. The tradition of Fabergé eggs began with Alexander III, who offered the first egg to his wife, Empress Maria Fedorovna. The goldsmith, Peter Carl Fabergé, proved to be just as important to me. He was a true innovator, experimenting and reaching for materials that at the time were not associated with jewelry, such as ivory, mother of pearl or enamel. As well, this master of detail would bewilder with the surprises found in the eggs. Like when he used the authentic upholstery fabric from the Trans-Siberian Express in a miniature train. I also love to experiment with materials, which is why I combine precious minerals like emerald and moissanite with gilded volcanic rock and silk in the ‘Fabergé’ collection – tells the designer sharing the story that inspired her.

Wealth and surprises

Most of the trinkets contain at least one miniature egg, and you must know that they are not short on the elaborateness associated with Fabergé. They include real gems encrusted with polished moissanites, rendering a diamond effect; or with ruby or emerald inclusions matching the color scheme of the jewelry. Lewanowicz focused on diversity and glamour by including sapphires, garnets, citirnes, amethysts or smoky quartz. The pinnacle of the collection inspired by the famous eggs is an impressive necklace made of hand-cast silver with a beautiful lace patter. The designer has also included the indispensable element of surprise. She encourages you to play with the jewelry pieces and search for alternative ways to wear them. Some of the necklaces can be converted into brooches, or even… key rings by unclipping a medallion or pendant. There are also those that you can combine, re-clasp, or even turn into a much shorter necklace or chic bracelet. The Fabergé collection is jewelry that will give the wearer a double surprise. And each time, an extremely pleasant one.