The world’s most expensive Fabergé eggs: A legacy of luxury and imperial artistry
In 1885, Tsar Alexander III of Russia sparked a royal tradition that would become one of the most opulent and iconic legacies in the history of art.
He commissioned famed jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé to create a one-of-a-kind Easter gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. The result? The first Fabergé Egg—an exquisite creation that launched a series of masterpieces known for their intricate design, luxurious materials, and hidden surprises.
Crafted primarily between 1885 and 1917, the Fabergé Eggs represent the pinnacle of Imperial Russian craftsmanship, blending gold, diamonds, enamel, and precious gemstones. While created for the Romanov family, their allure quickly extended to Europe’s elite families, such as the Rothschilds and Kelches.
Today, these jeweled eggs are some of the most expensive collectibles in the world.
Top 10 most expensive Fabergé eggs ever sold or valued:
Third Imperial Easter Egg – $33 million
Discovered by a scrap metal dealer in 2011 and later sold in 2014, this egg contains a 14K gold Vacheron Constantin watch and is made of 18K gold, diamonds, and sapphires. It's the most expensive Fabergé Egg known to date.
Rothschild Clock Egg – $25.1 million
Commissioned by the Rothschild family, this non-Imperial egg features a diamond-set clock and an automaton cockerel that crows every hour. Sold at auction in 2007.
Imperial Coronation Egg – $18 million
Perhaps the most iconic Fabergé Egg, this 1897 creation celebrates Empress Alexandra’s coronation and houses a miniature gold coach. It is currently part of the Forbes Collection.
Winter Egg – $15.6 million
Created in 1913, this dazzling egg is adorned with 1,660 diamonds and frost-inspired crystal. It sold for $9.6 million in 2002 and remains one of Fabergé’s most technically sophisticated designs.
Bay Tree Egg – $15 million
Designed to resemble a topiary tree, this egg features enameled leaves and hidden compartments. Sold in a private transaction in the early 2000s.
Fifteenth Anniversary Egg - $15 million
The Fifteenth Anniversary Egg, created in 1911 by the House of Fabergé, commemorates the 15th wedding anniversary of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. More than just an Easter gift, this egg stands as a gilded chronicle of Imperial Russia at the height of its power and opulence.
Lilies of the Valley Egg – $13 million
Featuring rose-coloured enamel and pearl accents, it opens to reveal miniature portraits of Nicholas II and his daughters. Now part of the Fabergé Museum collection in St. Petersburg.
Order of St. George Egg – $7 million
The Order of St. George Egg, created in 1916, is one of the final Imperial Fabergé Eggs ever commissioned. It stands out for its austere elegance, patriotic symbolism, and the deep emotional context in which it was made—amid the turbulence of World War I and the waning days of the Russian Empire.
Cradle with Garlands Egg – $6.65 million
The Cradle with Garlands Egg, crafted in 1907, is one of the most sentimental and elegant of the Imperial Fabergé Eggs, designed to commemorate the birth of Tsarevich Alexei, the long-awaited heir to Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.
Hen Egg – $6 million
The first Imperial egg ever created, featuring a white enamel shell that opens to reveal a golden yolk, a golden hen, and a miniature imperial crown.
