The historic “Winter Egg” – one of the world’s most extraordinary and expensive jewelry masterpieces – up for auction on December 2, 2025
For over a century, Fabergé eggs have captured the imagination of collectors, historians, and luxury enthusiasts. Yet none has inspired as much fascination as the Winter Egg. This jewel, shrouded in near-mythical renown, was gifted in 1913 by Tsar Nicholas II to his mother, Empress Maria Feodorovna. Now, this spectacular object—considered one of the most exquisite and symbolic creations in the entire history of Fabergé—is set to return to auction. That’s why Christie’s in London is announcing an event already being hailed as one of the most significant moments on the 2025 art market calendar.
“Winter Egg” Fabergé. Elegance Encased in Ice
At first glance, the Winter Egg looks like a fragment of a winter dream brought to life. Its surface is adorned with intricately crafted “frost” patterns—so realistic they seem to be covered in real ice. The entire piece rests on a base reminiscent of an icicle broken off from the frozen Neva, as if just emerged from the frosty landscape of St. Petersburg.
This effect was achieved through the use of rock crystal. In the hands of Fabergé’s masters, this material was transformed into a transparent shell resembling ice. The surface is adorned with platinum snowflakes set with over 4,000 diamonds. That’s why the egg looks like a shimmering block of ice in the sunlight. There is no extravagance for its own sake here. The gemstone serves the artistic vision.
The secret hidden in the heart of an egg
The true marvel of the Winter Egg reveals itself only once it is opened. Inside, there is a miniature platinum basket holding a suspended bouquet of anemones. The master jeweler sculpted the petals from white quartz. The golden stems are topped with diamonds, while the leaves are crafted from nephrite. This is not just a masterpiece of jewelry. It is a poetic metaphor for the end of winter, the passing of darkness, and the arrival of new life.
For Maria Feodorovna, it was a gift of exceptional significance. A tribute from her son in the year of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty.
A designer who dared to think differently
The project was designed by Alma Theresia Pihl, one of the few women in Fabergé’s history to play such a significant role in the creative process. She was not a trained jeweler. She began her career as a watercolor copyist. However, her talent, fresh perspective, and bold approach to design transformed Fabergé’s aesthetic language. The Winter Egg was her first major triumph and a testament to the fact that perfection can be inspired by the observation of an ordinary phenomenon: morning frost on a windowpane.
From an imperial symbol to a collector’s trophy
The fate of the Winter Egg mirrors the dramatic history of Russia. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the treasure—along with other imperial jewels—was placed in state vaults, and later sold off to the West in a desperate attempt to acquire foreign currency. In the following decades, the egg changed hands several times, each time fetching record prices at auctions. In 1994 and 2002, it set world records for Fabergé pieces.
Today, with only 43 out of 50 imperial eggs surviving worldwide, the appearance of such an object on the market is a momentous event. The Winter Egg, with its history, symbolism, and unparalleled craftsmanship, remains the Holy Grail for many collectors. That’s why the upcoming auction is generating so much excitement.
An auction that could go down in history
Christie’s will present the Winter Egg as part of a special session, The Winter Egg and Important Works by Fabergé from a Princely Collection, open to the public from November 27. The main auction will take place on December 2, 2025, in London. The estimated value is provided strictly “upon request.” This alone promises a spectacular record.
The art market anticipates a sum that could surpass most previous jewelry auctions. Meanwhile, interest from collectors in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia is already immense.
A symbol of hope from 112 years ago
The Winter Egg is more than just a jewel. It is a story of imperial power. Of artistry that captured a fleeting moment in the crystalline dust of winter. Of delicate hope that blossoms even in the hardest of times. The last joyful gift of the Romanovs became, at the same time, their epitaph. That is why it remains one of the most beautiful mementos of a world that no longer exists.
