Peter Carl Fabergé

NAME Peter Carl Fabergé (also known as Karl Gustavovich Fabergé, Петер Карл Густавович Фаберже).

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Renowned Russian goldsmith and jeweller, best known for creating the legendary Fabergé eggs—luxurious, bejewelled Easter eggs crafted for the Russian Imperial family and other elite clients.

BIRTH He was born on May 30 [O.S. May 18] 1846, in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

FAMILY BACKGROUND His father, Gustav Fabergé, was a prominent jeweller who founded the House of Fabergé in 1842, and his mother, Charlotte Jungstedt, was the daughter of Danish painter Karl Jungstedt. The Fabergé family’s Huguenot ancestors fled France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, settling first in Germany and then moving to Russia. Carl had a younger brother, Agathon, born in 1862 in Dresden, Germany. 

CHILDHOOD Fabergé spent his early years in Saint Petersburg, where he was exposed to the world of fine jewellery through his father’s business. 

In 1860, when Carl was 14, his father retired and moved the family to Dresden, Saxony, leaving the business in Saint Petersburg under the management of Hiskias Pendin. Carl attended the fashionable Gymnasium of St Anne’s in Saint Petersburg before the family’s move. The artistic and cosmopolitan environment of Dresden, along with his family’s connections, provided Carl with a rich cultural upbringing. (1)

EDUCATION Carl Fabergé’s education was international and comprehensive. In Dresden, he enrolled at the Dresden Arts and Crafts School (Handelsschule), where he studied the basics of business administration and honed his artistic skills. 

He then embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe, visiting major centres of art and craftsmanship in Paris, Florence, Frankfurt, and London. During this period, he apprenticed with the master goldsmith Josef Friedman in Frankfurt, attended a course at Schloss’s Commercial College in Paris, and studied objects in Europe’s leading museums. He also learned English in England and received tuition from respected goldsmiths in Germany, France, and England. 

On returning to Saint Petersburg in 1864, Fabergé continued his education under the mentorship of Hiskias Pendin, his father’s trusted workmaster, and became involved in cataloguing and restoring masterpieces at the Hermitage Museum. (1)

CAREER RECORD  1864 Returning to Saint Petersburg in 1864, Fabergé joined his father’s firm, House of Fabergé

1872: Took over House of Fabergé, transforming it from a dealer in petty jewelry to a creator of artistic masterpieces.

1882: Appointed "master of the Second Guild".

1885: Appointed Jeweler to the Russian Imperial Court and created the first of the series of Imperial Easter Eggs. Expanded the business with workshops and branches in Moscow, Kiev, and London.

1918:  The House of Fabergé was nationalised by the Bolsheviks.

APPEARANCE  Fabergé was a distinguished man, typically seen with a full, well-groomed beard and moustache, which was fashionable among Russian professionals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He had a high forehead, expressive eyes, and often wore pince-nez or round spectacles.

Peter Carl Fabergé

FASHION His attire reflected the formal, conservative style of his era: dark suits, waistcoats, and high-collared shirts, sometimes with a bow tie or cravat. Fabergé’s overall bearing was that of a cultured, dignified gentleman, befitting his status as a master jeweller and court artist.

CHARACTER Fabergé was known for his artistic vision, attention to detail, and emphasis on craftsmanship. He was a skilled businessman who transformed his father's firm into an internationally renowned enterprise. He was also known to give his craftsmen a lot of creative freedom.

SPEAKING VOICE Memoirs and recollections by those who knew him suggest that Fabergé was not given to small talk and preferred focused, purposeful conversation. He was described as a man of few words, with a dislike for idle chatter, and his speech was marked by precision and wit. (2)

SENSE OF HUMOUR Fabergé’s sense of humour is well attested. He was known for his sharp, sometimes ironic wit, often making derisory or playful remarks—especially when dealing with foppish or self-important clients. For example, when a prince boasted about an honour from the Tsar but admitted he did not know why he received it, Fabergé replied, “Indeed, your Highness, I too have no idea what for”. He also showed a self-deprecating humour, once joking, “Since there is nobody to scold me, I have had to do it myself,” when caught out as the designer of a particular piece. (2)

Family anecdotes and stories passed down through generations further confirm his playful side. One tale recounts how Fabergé arranged for a circus bear to greet a nervous foreign businessman at a Russian train station, poking fun at the man’s fears of wild Russian bears. (3)

RELATIONSHIPS Peter Carl Fabergé married Augusta Julia Jacobs on November 20, 1872 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This marriage coincided with his return to Saint Petersburg after his studies and travels in Europe, and the same year he took over his father’s jewellery firm. Augusta was the daughter of furniture craftsman Gottlieb Jacobs. 

Augusta Julia Jacobs c. 1872

They had five sons together. Four of their sons survived to adulthood: Eugène Fabergé (1874–1960), Agathon Fabergé (1876–1951), Alexander Fabergé (1877–1952), and Nicholas (Nikolai) Leopold Fabergé (1884–1939). Another son, Nikolai, was born in 1881 but died in infancy.

Eugène Fabergé and Agathon Fabergé were involved in the family business and his brother Agathon Fabergé also worked for the firm.

MONEY AND FAME Fabergé achieved considerable wealth and international fame during his career, becoming jeweller to royalty and aristocracy across Europe. His name became synonymous with luxury and artistic excellence. However, the Russian Revolution led to the loss of his business and much of his fortune.

FABERGÉ EGG In the grand and often bewildering cabinet of human eccentricity, the Fabergé egg occupies a particularly sparkly shelf. These objets d’art — let’s call them what they are: preposterously ornate trinkets — were born in Saint Petersburg between 1885 and 1917, a time when Russia’s imperial family had both the money and the inclination to commission small, jewel-encrusted surprises as if Easter were a year-round festival of opulence. At the helm of this bedazzled operation was  Peter Carl Fabergé, a man who could apparently look at an egg and think, “Yes, but what if it cost more than a house?”

It all began in 1885, when Tsar Alexander III, presumably at a loss for what to get the Empress who had everything, tapped Fabergé to concoct a suitably extravagant Easter gift. The result was the now-famous Hen Egg: a dainty white enamel egg that cracked open to reveal a golden yolk, which in turn held a gold hen, and inside that, a miniature crown and a ruby pendant. (The crown and pendant have since vanished into history, or perhaps into someone's exceptionally well-decorated attic.) The Empress was so delighted that Fabergé found himself with a new job title: official court jeweller and holiday magician.

From that point forward, the Tsar gave Fabergé carte blanche to outdo himself every Easter, and the poor man had to keep coming up with ever more fantastical ways to make egg salad seem gauche by comparison. The tradition continued under Nicholas II, who took the whole affair even further by commissioning two eggs annually—one for his mother and one for his wife—because nothing says “dynastic stability” like seasonal gemstone poultry.

Of the 69 eggs crafted during this gilded eggstravaganza (sorry, had to), 50 were made for the Imperial family. Of those, 44 are known to survive today, lurking in museums, private collections, and the dreams of particularly enthusiastic collectors. The remaining eggs were created for fabulously wealthy clients with names like Rothschild and Kelch, who clearly couldn’t let the Romanovs have all the fun.

Each Fabergé egg was its own mini engineering marvel, the kind of thing that makes you wonder whether the jewellers had access to tiny elves or, at the very least, magnifying monocles of industrial strength. Gold, silver, enamel, diamonds, sapphires—Fabergé used the full arsenal of bling, and then some.

Inside, the “surprises” were the true pièce de résistance. We’re talking teeny-tiny mechanical swans, model palaces, or imperial coaches so intricate they could make a Swiss watch feel bloated. Fabergé’s enamelling techniques alone deserve a chapter in the annals of human patience—he pioneered over 140 colors and styles, with names like plique-à-jour, which translates loosely as “daylight coming through glass,” but really means “ridiculously difficult.”

SOME GREATEST HITS

The Imperial Coronation Egg (1897): Arguably the Beyoncé of Fabergé eggs. Gold, yellow enamel, and a scale-model coach to commemorate Tsar Nicholas II’s coronation.

The Imperial Coronation Egg by Miguel Hermoso Cuesta 

The Winter Egg: A frosty masterpiece encrusted with diamonds, housing a tiny sled because... why not?

The Cuckoo Clock Egg and the Lilies of the Valley Egg: Delicate, charming, and about as understated as a chandelier in a broom closet.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Following the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, the party rather abruptly ended. The House of Fabergé was nationalised, the family fled, and many of the eggs were spirited away, sold, or simply misplaced in the ensuing chaos—though one imagines it’s hard to misplace a diamond-studded objet the size of a goose egg. Today, Fabergé eggs reside in museums (notably the Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg), or in the safes of billionaire collectors who probably use them as paperweights.

LEGACY: BECAUSE WHO WOULDN’T WANT A GOLDEN EGG?

Despite—or perhaps because of—their sheer impracticality, Fabergé eggs remain potent symbols of artistic mastery, imperial excess, and the glorious pointlessness of truly beautiful things. Even today, the Fabergé brand persists, crafting modern iterations and sparking a global fascination with the glittering relics of a vanished empire.

All of which goes to show: sometimes, the most enduring legacies aren’t carved in stone but cracked open like a very expensive Kinder Surprise.

FOOD AND DRINK Recent culinary tributes—such as the “Eggs Fabergé” dish created by The Ritz London, inspired by his famous Imperial eggs—celebrate Fabergé's legacy through food, but these are modern interpretations and not reflections of his own tastes, which are unknown

MUSIC AND ARTS Peter Carl Fabergé was profoundly interested in the arts, with a particular passion for visual and decorative art forms. His formative years included extensive travel and study throughout Europe, where he immersed himself in the treasures of Renaissance and Baroque art, especially during his time in Dresden and on his Grand Tour, which included visits to the Medici collections in Florence and museums in Paris, France, and England. These experiences deeply influenced his aesthetic sensibilities and the design language of his later work.

Fabergé’s artistry drew inspiration from a wide array of sources, including French decorative arts from the era of Louis XVI, traditional Russian craftsmanship, Renaissance Italy, the Rococo style, and, later, Art Nouveau. His work is celebrated for its technical mastery, innovative use of enamelling, and the creation of objets d’art that blended opulence with artistic brilliance. The House of Fabergé became a hub of artistic innovation, especially in enamelling, and Fabergé’s supervision elevated this craft to new heights. (4)

LITERATURE Peter Carl Fabergé didn't write any books, memoirs, or significant published works himself. The many books about Fabergé—such as Peter Carl Fabergé: Goldsmith and Jeweller to the Russian Imperial Court by Henry Charles Bainbridge—are biographies or studies written by others, not by Fabergé.

NATURE The natural world was often a source of inspiration for Fabergé's designs. Many of his creations, including the eggs, featured floral motifs, animal figures, and other elements inspired by nature.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Fabergé’s principal interests revolved around art, craftsmanship, and design. He was dedicated to studying and reviving historical goldsmithing techniques, particularly those he encountered while cataloguing and restoring masterpieces at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. 

Peter Carl Fabergé at work c. 1900

SCIENCE AND MATHS Fabergé’s creations required a deep understanding of chemistry (for enamelling), metallurgy, and mechanical design, especially in the engineering of the eggs’ surprises.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Peter Carl Fabergé’s guiding philosophy was rooted in the belief that the true value of an object lay in the craftsmanship and artistic merit invested in its creation, rather than in the intrinsic worth of its materials. He championed the idea that jewellery and objets d’art should be celebrated for their design, creativity, and meticulous execution, not merely for the precious metals or gemstones they contained. This was a significant departure from the prevailing attitudes of his time, which often equated value solely with material wealth.

Fabergé insisted on the highest standards of quality and innovation in his workshop, often elevating humble materials to new heights through expert artistry. He was unafraid to use less expensive stones or metals if they served the artistic vision of a piece, believing that exceptional craftsmanship could transform even the simplest materials into objects of beauty and wonder. This philosophy led to a paradigm shift in the world of jewellery and decorative arts, emphasizing artistry over ostentation.

Fabergé's family background was rooted in Huguenot traditions,  but there is no direct evidence or documentation regarding Peter Carl Fabergé’s personal theological beliefs or religious practices. However, his Imperial Easter Eggs were intimately tied to the Russian Orthodox tradition of celebrating Easter, the most important feast in the Orthodox calendar. The egg itself is a symbol of resurrection and new life in Christian theology, and the Imperial commissions were intended as Easter gifts for the Russian royal family, reflecting the deep religious and cultural significance of the holiday in Russia.

POLITICS Fabergé maintained close ties with the Russian Imperial family and aristocracy but was not overtly political. The Russian Revolution forced him into exile, and his firm was nationalised by the Bolsheviks.

SCANDAL Fabergé's life was not marked by any major scandals. His reputation was one of artistic excellence and craftsmanship.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Throughout his long career, Fabergé was active and industrious, managing a large workshop and travelling extensively in his youth for education and business. 

Fabergé’s health deteriorated significantly after the Russian Revolution. The upheaval, loss of his business, and the trauma of fleeing Russia placed immense stress on him. After escaping Petrograd (Saint Petersburg) in 1918, he endured a period of instability, moving through Latvia and Germany before finally reaching Switzerland. During this time, the stress and hardships took a heavy toll on his physical and emotional well-being.

While in Germany, Fabergé became seriously ill. In June 1920, his son Eugène accompanied him to Switzerland, where other family members had taken refuge. Peter Carl Fabergé died a few months later. Some accounts suggest he died of a "broken heart," reflecting the emotional impact of exile and loss, though his precise medical condition is not specified. (5)

HOMES Peter Carl Fabergé was born and spent much of his life in Saint Petersburg, the cultural and imperial capital of Russia. The Fabergé family home and business headquarters were located at 24 Bolshaya Morskaya Ulitsa, a purpose-built premises that housed workshops, design studios, offices, a showroom, and Peter Carl’s own apartment. This address became synonymous with the House of Fabergé and was the centre of his creative and professional life during the firm’s heyday.

The main Fabergé store in Saint Petersburg (see below) was officially renamed Yakhont (Ruby) and still is known as the Fabergé store.

By Vitold Muratov

In 1860, when Carl was 14, his father Gustav retired and moved the family to Dresden, Germany, leaving the Saint Petersburg business in the hands of a trusted manager. Carl attended school in Dresden and lived there with his family during his formative years.

After the Russian Revolution and the nationalisation of his business in 1918, Fabergé was forced to flee Russia. He first escaped to Riga, then to Germany, living in Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden. As political turmoil spread, he moved again, eventually joining family members in Switzerland. He spent his final years in Lausanne (specifically in the suburb of Pully, near Lausanne), where he died in 1920.

TRAVEL He travelled extensively throughout Europe in his youth, visiting major art centres and studying with master craftsmen in Germany, France, England, and Italy. Faberge had a reputation for never travelling with luggage. Instead, he bought what he needed when he got to his destination.

DEATH Peter Carl Fabergé died on September 24, 1920 at the Hotel Bellevue in Lausanne, Switzerland, aged 74. His final years were marked by the trauma of exile following the Russian Revolution, the loss of his business, and separation from his homeland. According to his family, Fabergé never recovered from these upheavals, and they believed he died "of a broken heart".

Initially, Fabergé was interred in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he had passed away. In 1925, his wife Augusta died. Four years later, in 1929, their son Eugène Fabergé arranged for Peter Carl’s remains to be moved from Lausanne and reburied alongside Augusta in the Cimetière du Grand Jas (Grand Jas Cemetery) in Cannes, France. Their grave is located in the British Cemetery section (Allée 23) of this historic and beautifully landscaped cemetery on the French Riviera.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Fabergé’s life and work have been the subject of films, documentaries, and exhibitions, including a notable documentary that explores his legacy and the fate of the Fabergé brand after his death.

Here are some notable appearances and portrayals of Fabergé and his famous eggs in media and pop culture:

🎬 FILM & TELEVISION

1. Octopussy (1983, James Bond) Perhaps the most famous cinematic use of a Fabergé egg. In this Bond film, a fake Fabergé egg (the “Property of a Lady”) is at the center of a jewel-smuggling operation. The plot uses the egg’s opulence and mystique to add glamour and intrigue.

2. Ocean’s Twelve (2004) The sequel to Ocean’s Eleven revolves around the theft of a Fabergé egg from a European museum. Though it’s fictional, it taps into the cultural idea that Fabergé eggs are the ultimate high-value, high-stakes loot.

3. Peaky Blinders (BBC series) A Fabergé egg is mentioned as a luxury item being smuggled or traded—again, used to evoke a sense of wealth, refinement, and old-world extravagance.

📚 LITERATURE

1. The Amber Room by Steve Berry (2003) A thriller involving stolen art and lost treasures from World War II, including Fabergé eggs. Fabergé’s name and legacy often appear in such novels due to the mystique surrounding missing or rumored eggs.

2. The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley Involving time travel and Russian history, this novel features references to Fabergé’s world and the imperial court. He is a symbol of both craftsmanship and political fragility.

🎭 DOCUMENTARIES & HISTORICAL SERIES

1. Treasures of the World – Fabergé Eggs (BBC/History Channel) This documentary explores the history of the eggs and includes historical dramatizations of Peter Carl Fabergé’s life, including his rise to prominence in the Russian court.

2. Fabergé: A Life of Its Own (2014) A documentary focused entirely on the man and the myth, charting the House of Fabergé from its origins to modern-day collectors. It includes reenactments and historical photos, giving Fabergé some direct screen time.

🖼️ POPULAR CULTURE & PARODIES

Fabergé eggs are often used in cartoons, ads, and satirical works to represent absurd luxury. Think The Simpsons or Family Guy—Fabergé’s name might be dropped for comedic effect when characters stumble upon treasure rooms or try to seem cultured.

ACHIEVEMENTS Transformed the House of Fabergé into a world-renowned luxury brand.

Created the iconic Fabergé eggs for the Russian Imperial family.

Won major international awards, including the Grand Prix at the 1900 Paris Exposition.

Set new standards in jewellery and decorative arts, influencing generations of craftsmen

Sources (1) St. Petersburg Collection (2) Timenote (3) Linked In (4) Encyclopedia Britannica (5) Russia Beyond