A Tsar's gift reinvented

The story goes, Peter Carl became a jeweller to the great Russian Imperial Court. He produced exquisite objects including a legendary easter egg for Romanov Tsar Nicholas II to gift to his wife, Empress Alexandra. His worldwide reputation attracted royalty, tycoons and artists, but suddenly, the Russian Revolution bought a violent end to the royal dynasty and his craftsmanship. 

Brand Peter Carl Fabergé has come a long way. This week over 200 super-sized ‘Fabergé’ eggs have been secreted across central London as part of a Big Egg Hunt for charities Elephant Family (who brought us the 260 brightly painted elephants in Summer 2010) and Action for Children.

This is one big Easter themed design fair. Notable artists, architects and household fashion names such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Zandra Rhodes, Tommy Hilfiger and illustrator Martin Handford (of Where’s Wally?) have decorated the two and a half foot fiberglass sculptures in their own thematic, iconic, or wacky way.

Here are some eggs I excitedly came across on my way to the National Portrait Gallery.  Perhaps the mystique of the Faberge Egg is removed in this public art hunt, but its charisma has been hatched once more. 


Each piece is marked with a descriptive plaque and after a six week run, the collection will be auctioned. 

"The Obsidian Egg" by Maria Grachvogel,
fashion designer

"Egg Hog" by Victoria Scott,
illustrator