Fabergé’s Imperial Easter Eggs (from 1885 to today)
Fabergé’s Imperial Easter Eggs (from 1885 to today)
These lectures delivers a single narrative covering the history of the 50 jewelled Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs from the first egg in 1885 to their current whereabouts. The eggs illustrate the attitudes that would ultimately lead to the downfall of the Romanovs: their apparent indifference to the poverty that choked their country; their preference for style over substance and their all-consuming concern with the health of the sickly heir – a preoccupation that would propel them toward Rasputin and the doom of the dynasty.
After the Revolution, the eggs embarked on a journey that included embattled Bolsheviks, acquisitive members of the British royal family, eccentric salesmen, and famous business and society figures. Now, the interest of Russian oligarchs means that their story is turning full circle, as the eggs begin to return to Russia. Finally, there is the emergence of new information, as researchers delve into the Kremlin archives, in particular to piece together the designs and possible fates of the seven missing eggs.
There will be two lectures with a break for morning tea.
An experienced lecturer, Toby Faber began his career with Natural Sciences at Cambridge, followed by investment banking, management consulting and five years as managing director of the publishing company founded by his grandfather, Faber and Faber, where he remains on the board. He is also non-executive Chairman of its sister company, Faber Music and a director of Liverpool University Press.
Toby has written a novel, Close to the Edge, and three works of narrative history, Stradivarius, Fabergé’s Eggs and Faber & Faber: The Untold Story. Of these, only the obvious one was published by Faber & Faber.
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