Long Lost Faberge Imperial 1887 Egg Discovered. In the US!!

[Forum Admin]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/10706025/The-20m-Faberge-egg-that-was-almost-sold-for-scrap.html

[bongo]

Hi res images now available on Wartski's website.

http://www.wartski.com

Even if you didn't recognise it as Faberge, it's still incredible anyone would would consider melting this down for the gold. What rednecks!

I wonder if the buyer is Russian, Saudi, or from Qatar.

[Annette]

Fortunately it's going to be on display at Wartski in April, which is very close to my office.  Will be a privilege to be able to see it. 

[KarinK]

What an amazing story! It's so striking to see those clear new photos of the egg and then the photo from the 1902 exhibition.

[RoyalWatcher]

Wowza! What a gift it was this morning to be able to see the missing #3 Faberge Imperial Easter Egg. I am over the moon!!!

[londo954]

Wartski's has confirmed that the buyer is not Russian. The egg has been identified as the third Imperial Egg (1887) an easter gift from Alexander III to Maria.

[bongo]

Where did they state that? It's not in their media release.

[londo954]

It was in one of the media releases... an interview with the expert from Wartski's

[ArchitectCS]

Annette,

I'm doing some research on the imperial eggs and their condition. When you go see the egg at Wartski, could you answer a question for me? In some of the photos of the egg, there is a bow above the sapphire on the stand, but in some of the photos the bow is missing. Since you can only see one of the three sapphires at a time, could you please tell me if only one bow is missing or if it's two? I would really appreciate it, thanks!

And I think I speak for all of us when I say we're a bit jealous not to work down the street from Wartski.

Chad

[Annette]

Hi Chad, absolutely no problem, I'll check out and revert to you once I've seen the egg.

Very excited and as you say very lucky to be just a couple of hundred yards away from Wartski!

[Annette]

Hi Chad, if you look at the update info on the website: http://www.wartski.com/index.htm, click on the egg and scroll down there is a picture where you can see two of the sapphires at the same time, there do not appear to be any bows.  I will revert as soon as I've (fingers crossed) been able to see the egg for myself. 

Kind regards.

Annette

[Annette]

Have just returned from my (first) viewing of The Third Imperial Faberge Easter Egg at Wartski.  The Egg is exquisite. 

Wartski had partitioned off part of their shop, the Egg was in a display cabinet which had three glass panels  therein to allow a 360 degree view, at eye level, in the centre of the room.  The walls had been covered with blown up photos from the last time it was on display in St P in March 1902. Wartski were allowing around 6-8 people in at any one time so one was able to get right up to the Egg.  I've been very disappointed at Faberge exhibitions in the past  (including at Wartski) with the crowds and not actually being able to see anything.  Not this time, I was able to get right up close.  The Egg was a lovely pale gold colour (in a lot of the colour photos it's coming across as a dark gold) and the garlands around the egg are beautiful and the legs (with lion paw feet) were so delicate.  I cannot believe that anyone seeing it would not know it's Faberge but...

Chad, I saw all three sapphires and could not see any sign of a bow/bows above the sapphires.  The sapphire on the left as you look at the Egg has a little white mark above the sapphire.  It could be that the gold has been damaged - or a bow removed - but I think the latter doubtful as there didn't seem to be anything missing from above the other two sapphires.  If I can find out anymore when I next pop down I'll let you know.

Anyone in or around London should make the effort - you may not see it again for another 112 years - and certainly not for free. 

[Greg_D]

Im going to see the Egg tomorrow , can you tell me Annette if there were long queues  and how long you were allowed to be in the shop ?

Can't wait to see the 1887, its so exciting that its been found, lets keep looking for the other ones !

[Annette]

Hi Greg

Just seen this posting so probably too late for a helpful response, I queued for less than 5 mins and I was the only one in the queue!

[Greg_D]

Thats Ok Annette,
We only had to wait around 20 mins, but spent half and hour in there and got to speak to Kieran Mc Carthy about the discovery of this Egg and the hunt for the others.......
Its an amazing piece of jewelery and so glad I managed to go and see it !