Fabergé’s ‘Winter Egg’ Expected to Fetch Over $40 Million at Upcoming Auction

One of Fabergé’s most celebrated creations, the Winter Egg, is set to go under the hammer at Christie’s London on December 2, with estimates exceeding £20 million (approx. $40.9 million AUD). This exquisite piece, commissioned by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia as a gift to his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, is adorned with 1,660 diamonds and showcases Fabergé’s legendary craftsmanship.

Designed by Alma Theresia Pihl, one of only two female artists to work for Fabergé, the egg features a platinum, double-handled trellis basket embellished with carved quartz flowers and rose-cut diamonds — a testament to both technical mastery and artistic vision.

The Winter Egg is already a record-setter, having twice achieved world-record auction prices for a Fabergé work: first in 1994 at Christie’s Geneva, fetching $13.95 million AUD, and again in 2002 at Christie’s New York, selling for $14.72 million AUD.

Christie’s described the masterpiece as,

“A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of Fabergé’s most important creations. The Winter Egg stands among the most opulent and artistically inventive Imperial Easter eggs ever made.”

The upcoming sale will also feature nearly 50 other rare Fabergé pieces, including hardstone sculptures, objets de vertu, animals, and fine furniture, giving collectors a rare glimpse into the world of Imperial Russian artistry.

Between 1885 and 1916, Fabergé created 50 Imperial Easter Eggs, of which 43 are known to survive today — most housed in museum collections. Only seven, including the Winter Egg, remain in private hands.

Founded in 1842, Fabergé remains one of the most iconic names in luxury and artistry. Earlier this year, the brand changed hands in a $76.2 million AUD acquisition by a technology investor — reaffirming its enduring legacy and timeless allure.