Slide 1

Faberge Eggs Slide 2 How do treasured items reflect personal values as well as values of a specific time and culture. (Social Studies Standard 4) How to create an object that communicates the personal and cultural significance of their family's treasured items. (Visual Arts Standard 1) How have people combined written accounts of personal histories with interpretations of treasured items as they relate to cultural values. (Language Arts Standard 2) Slide 3 The House of Faberge traces its family roots from northern France (the Favris) By the early 1800s the (now) Faberg's were located in Estonia In 1842, Gustav Faberg opened his jewelry shop in a basement shop in St. Petersburg, Russia Sons Carl and Agathon eventually take over the business Slide 4 The egg is seen by followers of Christianity as a symbol of resurrection Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, Easter eggs are dyed red to represent blood Hard shell of the egg symbolized the sealed tomb of Christ Eggs are blessed and given out by preists on Holy Saturday Thus: the tradition of giving egg shaped jewelry! Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 The History of the House of Faberg French was the language of the Russian Court and the urban nobility All things French were associated with luxury items and wealth Faberge was French! Slide 10 The Rise of Faberg The small business began repairing pieces for the Hermitage Museum Tsar Alexander III declared the House of Faberge "Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown", beginning an association with the Russian tsars. Slide 11 The History of the Faberg Egg Between 1885 and 1917, the Faberg were most famously made for the Romanov tsars (Alexander III and Nicholas II) The Imperial Faberg Eggs 50 were made and 42 survived 2 more were made, but were not given to the tsar before his assassination Slide 12 Slide 13 The History of the Faberg Egg Made of precious metals or hard stones Decorated with combinations of enamel and gem stones. Faberg eggs have become a symbol of luxury, Regarded as masterpieces of the jeweler's art Tsars only requirement: each must contain a surprise Slide 14 The Hen, 1885 Slide 15 Slide 16 Bay Tree Egg, 1911 Slide 17 The Coronation Egg, 1897 Slide 18 The Czarevich Egg, 1912 Slide 19 Lilies of the Valley Egg, 1898 Slide 20 The Spring Flowers Egg, 1890 Slide 21 Significance What did the Faberg Eggs Mean to the Romanovs? Tradition, beauty, wealth, privilege, importance of family memories) What did the eggs come to later symbolize for the Soviets? Indulgences of the Russian Czar, contrast to the plight of the Russian people, source of income by selling them Slide 22 Make Your Own Faberge Egg