The Fabergé Egg is one of history’s most legendary objets d'art. These delicate decorative objects have lured the word’s rich and famous for over a century. With only 50 completed before 1917, “Imperial Eggs” are, not surprisingly, highly precious collector items. Today Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Fabergé have announced a contemporary Fabergé Egg. The maker of the world’s most luxurious motor cars has teamed with the maker of the most luxurious eggs to craft and create a bespoke “Spirit of Ecstasy” Fabergé Egg for the 21st century.
The creative process involved teams from Rolls-Royce and Fabergé. Designers Stefan Monro and Alex Innes from the car company’s bespoke division sketched the initial design which was subsequently rendered by the Fabergé lead designer Liisa Talgren. The object was then brought to life by the craft master Paul Jones who set about to create a contemporary interpretation of one of the world’s most fabled
Rolls-Royce and Fabergé have created the one-of-its-kind “Spirit of Ecstasy” Fabergé EggRolls-Royce
“It was born from an intrinsic desire to further the realms of bespoke personalization,” offers Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce chief executive. “Responding to the continuing demands of patrons in search of unique and cherished possessions, a designer at the House of Rolls-Royce sketched an egg, igniting a fascination that will undoubtedly become one of the most collectable items of modern times.”
Working with the finest materials and utilizing their skills as artist jewelers, a team of seven craftspeople from the house of Fabergé set about re-creating the design of the “Spirit of Ecstasy”. The tiny Rolls-Royce mascot is sculpted in frosted rock crystal and cocooned within the egg. The final design echoes that of Fabergé’s heritage - masterfully woven into the intricate design - which stands at 160mm and weighs as little as 400g.
The intricate design involved creative and craft teams from Rolls-Royce and FabergéRolls-Royce
The Fabergé Egg rests on an engine-turned, hand-engraved, purple enamel guilloché 18-karat white gold base. Arms of rose gold define the shape, cocooning the egg inside. The operating mechanism is complex, involving micro engineering. Rolls-Royce says it is probably the most complicated opening of any Fabergé Egg. The movement is operated via a hidden lever at the base of the stand for a sense of theatre as the boughs open to present the fine figurine of the “Spirit of Ecstasy”. The rose gold vanes, embellished with nearly 10-karats of round white diamonds, resolve into swathes of natural 390-karat amethyst, specially selected for its color saturation and quality. Finally, the purple hue of the enamel and amethyst provide a playful nod to the use of color in the Fabergé heritage.
The Rolls-Royce Fabergé Egg has a complex operating mechanismRolls-Royce
“A unique moment in both our companies’ history, the creation represents the meeting of two masters of unrivalled quality and design, showcasing two globally recognized symbols – the Fabergé Egg and the Spirit of Ecstasy,” says Sean Gilbertson, Fabergé chief executive.
It took over two years to finalize the “Spirit of Ecstasy”. It marks the second object to be commissioned in the “Imperial Class” since 1917 – a category reserved only for Fabergé’s most illustrious creations. The “Spirit of Ecstasy” Fabergé Egg will be premiered today at the House of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, UK and it will be on public display at the Fabergé London boutique in time for Christmas.