Royal Fabergé pieces to go on show

The Royal Family’s fabulous Fabergé pieces will be the star attractions at the summer opening of Buckingham Palace.

The objects, amassed since Queen Victoria’s reign and described as the world’s finest collection of the Russian jeweller’s work, will dazzle visitors when they go on display from July.

The exhibition’s curator, Caroline de Guitaut, said: “The British royal collection of Fabergé is unique and gives a remarkable insight into the dynastic relationships between the British, Danish and Russian royal families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“The exhibition shows a royal enthusiasm for Fabergé that has lasted more than 100 years.”

The exhibition will showcase pieces acquired by six successive generations of the monarchy from Queen Victoria to the Prince of Wales – a collection described by the Royal Collection as the world’s best.

Queen Victoria was the first reigning monarch to own an object made by the famous jeweller – a lavish notebook, a gift to mark her diamond jubilee. A mosaic Imperial Easter egg, acquired by Queen Mary and George V in 1933, is part of the exhibition.

The jeweller’s workshops created a range of items from photograph frames and cigarette cases to ornaments in precious metals which are all represented in the exhibition.

In recent years prices for Fabergé items have increased and in 2007 a diamond-encrusted egg was auctioned for £9 million.