Faberge Revealed: At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
“Not only is the book exquisitely photographed, but Mr. von Habsburg also offers an education in the times and history of Fabergé . . . . . Fabergé Revealed is a great read.”
Fabergé Revealed will render most readers slack jawed when exposed to the quality and quantity of some the most rarefied of collectibles.
If you have ever had the slightest bit of curiosity about Fabergé eggs then this is the book to own. Not only is the book exquisitely photographed, but Mr. von Habsburg also offers an education in the times and history of Fabergé and his relationship to Russia, the Russian Tsars, and the Russian aristocracy as well as Fabergé’s relationship to the world of collectors and craftsmen.
The historical angle is explained in such a way that you do not feel as if you are being schooled or reading a boring textbook. Mr. von Habsburg manages to infuse plenty of personality into his writing. The author draws you into the life, the times, the hierarchy, the inner workings, and the techniques of creation in a rarefied world.
What becomes very apparent by the seemingly endless photo display is that the work of Fabergé should not be quantified and identified by mere eggs. There are numerous categories that make up the body of Fabergé’s work; aside from the exquisitely crafted eggs, it includes photo frames; handles used for parasols, canes, and umbrellas; miniatures; boxes of all kinds; serving pieces for the table; and even religious iconography. There is also the fact that his work is not just about enamels inlaid with precious stones, but also includes carved pieces in stone, incredible stone jewelry, and pieces set in gold, platinum, and silver.
The one criticism: We are given very little visual insight into the so-called “surprise inside.” We are told that the eggs are collected not only for their outward beauty but for the inner mechanisms and the hidden surprises contained in these eggs. Some of the mechanisms and features are explained quite well, but the visual representation is lacking.
The bottom line is that Mr. von Habsburg provides an intellectually stimulating text with magnificently photographed pieces. Fabergé Revealed is a great read.