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Julius Rappoport

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Fish with Ruby Eyes
Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Fish with Ruby Eyes

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Fish with Ruby Eyes

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

Imperial Russian Silver Fish Fabergé, Workmaster Julius Rappoport St. Petersburg, 1908 A rare Imperial Russian silver fish produced by the House of Fabergé and executed by the disti...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Ruby, Silver

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mini Boar with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport
Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mini Boar with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mini Boar with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

Introducing a cute antique silver boar with ruby eyes, crafted for the Russian Imperial court by one of Carl Fabergé’s finest jewelers, Julius Rappoport. Julius Rappoport created mo...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Ruby, Silver

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mini Pig with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport
Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mini Pig with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mini Pig with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

Introducing a cute antique silver piggy with ruby eyes, crafted for the Russian Imperial court by one of Carl Fabergé’s finest jewelers, Julius Rappoport. Julius Rappoport created m...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Ruby, Silver

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Baby Hippo with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport
Antique Russian Imperial Silver Baby Hippo with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Baby Hippo with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

An exquisite Imperial Russian silver miniature hippopotamus by Fabergé workmaster Julius Rappoport, St. Petersburg, circa 1908. This charming yet substantial figure is finely cast i...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Ruby, Silver

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Bulldog with Ruby Eyes and Gold Collar
Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Bulldog with Ruby Eyes and Gold Collar

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Bulldog with Ruby Eyes and Gold Collar

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

The master's mark: "I.P." followed by a dot — the initials of Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851–1917).

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Jade, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Antique Faberge Enamel & Diamond Earrings Circa 1899-1903
Antique Faberge Enamel & Diamond Earrings Circa 1899-1903

Antique Faberge Enamel & Diamond Earrings Circa 1899-1903

By Fabergé

Located in ADELAIDE, SA

The number 56 refers to the gold's fineness in zolotniki, which is equivalent to 14-karat gold. Workmaster - Julius Alexander Rappoport (1851-1917) – Faberge Workmaster Mark I.P.

Category

Early 20th Century Modernist Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Recent Sales

Russian Silver and Marble Figural Bird Paperweight
Russian Silver and Marble Figural Bird Paperweight

Russian Silver and Marble Figural Bird Paperweight

Located in Natchez, MS

Holds 84 silver purity mark with Julius Rappoport work master mark.

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Silver

1890s Russian Fabergé Imperial-era Silver Dip Pen, St. Petersburg
1890s Russian Fabergé Imperial-era Silver Dip Pen, St. Petersburg

1890s Russian Fabergé Imperial-era Silver Dip Pen, St. Petersburg

By Fabergé

Located in St. Catharines, ON

by Fabergé, workmaster Julius Rappoport, stamped with Cyrillic initials I P and the Fabergé mark in full, with kokoshnik for before 1899, fully hallmarked.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Rococo Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

19th Century Russian Faberge Silver & Ceramic Jug, Julius Rappoport, circa 1890
19th Century Russian Faberge Silver & Ceramic Jug, Julius Rappoport, circa 1890

19th Century Russian Faberge Silver & Ceramic Jug, Julius Rappoport, circa 1890

By Julius Rappoport

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Hallmarked Russian 88 gold (915 standard), St-Petersburg, year 1882-1899, Maker's mark I.P (Julius Rappoport, renowned Faberge workmaster), Faberge retail mark.

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Pitchers

Materials

Silver

19th Century Russian Faberge Silver and Ceramic Jug, Julius Rappoport circa 1890
19th Century Russian Faberge Silver and Ceramic Jug, Julius Rappoport circa 1890

19th Century Russian Faberge Silver and Ceramic Jug, Julius Rappoport circa 1890

By Julius Rappoport

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Hallmarked Russian 88 silver (915 silver standard), St-Petersburg, year 1882-1899, Maker's mark I.P (Julius Rappoport, renowned Faberge workmaster), Faberge retail mark.

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Pitchers

Materials

Silver

19th Century Russian Faberge Silver-Mounted Sandstone Match Holder, circa 1890
19th Century Russian Faberge Silver-Mounted Sandstone Match Holder, circa 1890

19th Century Russian Faberge Silver-Mounted Sandstone Match Holder, circa 1890

By Julius Rappoport, Fabergé

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Hallmarked Russian 88 gold (915 standard), St-Petersburg, year 1898-1908, Maker's mark I.P (Julius Rappoport, renowned Faberge work master), of Jewish origins, Isaac Abramovich Rappo...

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Sandstone, Silver

Antique Russian Faberge Lighter in the Form of a Chimpanzee, circa 1900
Antique Russian Faberge Lighter in the Form of a Chimpanzee, circa 1900

Antique Russian Faberge Lighter in the Form of a Chimpanzee, circa 1900

By Fabergé, Julius Rappoport

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A few years later he became a Christian and changed his name to Julius Alexander. Rappoport produced a wide range of items, from small objects to large decorative pieces.

Category

20th Century Russian Centerpieces

Materials

Silver

19th Century Russian Faberge Solid Silver & Glass Jug, J Rappoport, c.1890
19th Century Russian Faberge Solid Silver & Glass Jug, J Rappoport, c.1890

19th Century Russian Faberge Solid Silver & Glass Jug, J Rappoport, c.1890

By Fabergé, Julius Rappoport

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Hallmarked Russian silver 88 (915 standard), St-Petersburg, year 1882-1899, Makers mark I.P (Julius Alexander Rappoport), Faberge retail mark.

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Pitchers

Materials

Silver

19th Century Imperial Russian Faberge Solid Silver Bowl, Rappoport, c.1894
19th Century Imperial Russian Faberge Solid Silver Bowl, Rappoport, c.1894

19th Century Imperial Russian Faberge Solid Silver Bowl, Rappoport, c.1894

By Fabergé, Julius Rappoport

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

19th Century Imperial Russian silver presentation bowl in the Rococo style decorated with gilding and embossing with the inscription “From the Czar of Russia to Sir Myles Fenton 1894...

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Rococo Serving Bowls

Materials

Silver

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Bulldog with Ruby Eyes
Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Bulldog with Ruby Eyes

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Silver Bulldog with Ruby Eyes

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

Introducing a cute antique silver bulldog with ruby eyes, crafted for the Russian Imperial court by one of Carl Fabergé’s finest jewelers, Julius Rappoport. Julius Rappoport created ...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Ruby, Silver

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mouse with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport
Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mouse with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Mouse with Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

Introducing a cute antique silver little mouse with ruby eyes, crafted for the Russian Imperial court by one of Carl Fabergé’s finest jewelers, Julius Rappoport. Julius Rappoport cr...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Ruby, Silver

Faberge Imperial Silver Figurine Cat, Workmaster Julius Rappoport
Faberge Imperial Silver Figurine Cat, Workmaster Julius Rappoport

Faberge Imperial Silver Figurine Cat, Workmaster Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

We present to your attention a unique antique treasure from the jewelry house of Fabergé —an exquisite silver figurine of a cat with emerald eyes created by the legendary master Juli...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Emerald, Silver

Faberge Ruby Agate Turtle Julius Rappoport Workmaster .875 Silver Tortoise 1910
Faberge Ruby Agate Turtle Julius Rappoport Workmaster .875 Silver Tortoise 1910

Faberge Ruby Agate Turtle Julius Rappoport Workmaster .875 Silver Tortoise 1910

By Fabergé

Located in New York, NY

Julius Alexander Rappoport, originally Isak Abramovich, was a Lithuanian silversmith and Fabergé workmaster.

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Agate, Ruby, Silver

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Bowenite Egg Pendant with Gilt Silver Cat and Ruby Eyes
Fabergé Julius Rappoport Bowenite Egg Pendant with Gilt Silver Cat and Ruby Eyes

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Bowenite Egg Pendant with Gilt Silver Cat and Ruby Eyes

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

The figurine bears original hallmarks: The master's mark: "I.P." followed by a dot—representing the initials of Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851–1917...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Silver, Gilt Metal

Russian Imperial Egg Pendant with Gilt Bulldog and Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport
Russian Imperial Egg Pendant with Gilt Bulldog and Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

Russian Imperial Egg Pendant with Gilt Bulldog and Ruby Eyes by Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

Julius Rappoport created most of the elegant and funny silver animal figurines for the House of Fabergé.

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Malachite, Ruby, Silver, Gilt Metal

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Bowenite Egg Pendant with Silver Elephant and Ruby Eyes
Fabergé Julius Rappoport Bowenite Egg Pendant with Silver Elephant and Ruby Eyes

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Bowenite Egg Pendant with Silver Elephant and Ruby Eyes

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

The figurine bears original hallmarks: The master's mark: "I.P." followed by a dot—representing the initials of Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851–1917...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Silver, Gilt Metal

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Jade Egg Pendant with Silver Bulldog and Ruby Eyes
Fabergé Julius Rappoport Jade Egg Pendant with Silver Bulldog and Ruby Eyes

Fabergé Julius Rappoport Jade Egg Pendant with Silver Bulldog and Ruby Eyes

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

The master's mark: "I.P." followed by a dot — the initials of Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851–1917).

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Jade, Ruby, Silver, Gilt Metal

Russian Imperial Fabergé Medallion by Julius Rappoport
Russian Imperial Fabergé Medallion by Julius Rappoport

Russian Imperial Fabergé Medallion by Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

The initials "I.P." followed by a dot - the master's mark. "I.P."-Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851 - 1917).

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal

Antique Imperial Silver Gilt Helmet Egg Pendant, Workmaster Julius Rappoport
Antique Imperial Silver Gilt Helmet Egg Pendant, Workmaster Julius Rappoport

Antique Imperial Silver Gilt Helmet Egg Pendant, Workmaster Julius Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

The initials "I.P." followed by a dot - the master's mark. "I.P."-Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851 - 1917) was one of the leading masters in manufactu...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Silver, Gilt Metal

Faberge Imperial Egg Pendant with Ruby, Workmaster Isaac Abramovich Rappoport
Faberge Imperial Egg Pendant with Ruby, Workmaster Isaac Abramovich Rappoport

Faberge Imperial Egg Pendant with Ruby, Workmaster Isaac Abramovich Rappoport

By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

The initials "I.P." followed by a dot - the master's mark. "I.P."-Julius Alexandrovich Rappoport (Isaac Abramovich Rappoport, 1851 - 10/15/1917) was one of the leading masters in ma...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Silver, Gilt Metal

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Antique Imperial Bowenite Ruby Gold Egg Pendant by Alfred Thielemann

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By Fabergé

Located in Chesterland, OH

We are pleased to present another exceptional item from our collection—a charming miniature solid-gold egg pendant crafted from bowenite and adorned with a natural ruby. The gold pen...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Gold

Regency Aquamarine Necklace with Old Mine Diamonds, circa 1815–1820
Regency Aquamarine Necklace with Old Mine Diamonds, circa 1815–1820

Regency Aquamarine Necklace with Old Mine Diamonds, circa 1815–1820

Located in Northampton, MA

This ravishing antique aquamarine necklace, dating to the Regency period (circa 1815–1820), is a crowning jewel of the era and a tour de force of early 19th-century jewelry design. A...

Category

Antique 1820s Unknown Regency Drop Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Vintage Buccellati 18K Yellow Gold Textured Leaf Collar Button Brooch
Vintage Buccellati 18K Yellow Gold Textured Leaf Collar Button Brooch

Vintage Buccellati 18K Yellow Gold Textured Leaf Collar Button Brooch

By Buccellati

Located in New York, NY

A Legacy of Exquisite Artistry Discover the timeless elegance of Buccellati, one of Italy’s most revered jewelry houses, renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship, intricate design...

Category

20th Century Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Nouveau Brooch Art Glass Signed Gabriel Stalin Fairy Dragonfly Lady
Antique Art Nouveau Brooch Art Glass Signed Gabriel Stalin Fairy Dragonfly Lady

Antique Art Nouveau Brooch Art Glass Signed Gabriel Stalin Fairy Dragonfly Lady

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This rare satin art glass medallion executed in relief depicts a fairy or a nympf designed as a young woman with dragonfly wings. It is signed Stalin at the bottom right for Gabriel ...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Vanity Items

Colombian Emerald 14.00 carats and Diamond Ring, circa 1925
Colombian Emerald 14.00 carats and Diamond Ring, circa 1925

Colombian Emerald 14.00 carats and Diamond Ring, circa 1925

Located in London, GB

Colombian emerald and diamond ring. Set to centre with a rectangular emerald-cut natural Colombian emerald with minor oil in an open back claw setting with an approximate weight of 1...

Category

Vintage 1920s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Emerald, Platinum

Bownite and Enamel Fabergé Frame
Bownite and Enamel Fabergé Frame

Bownite and Enamel Fabergé Frame

By Fabergé

Located in London, GB

A jewelled gold-mounted bowenite and enamel frame, Fabergé, Michael Perchin, St. Petersburg, before 1899, the circular bowenite frame centred by translucent mauve bezel with applied ...

Category

Antique 1890s Russian Russian Empire Frames

Materials

Diamond, Other, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel

Faberge Heritage Rose Gold Diamond & Pink Guilloche Enamel Heart Surprise Locket
Faberge Heritage Rose Gold Diamond & Pink Guilloche Enamel Heart Surprise Locket

Faberge Heritage Rose Gold Diamond & Pink Guilloche Enamel Heart Surprise Locket

By Fabergé

Located in New York, NY

The heritage rose gold diamond and pink guilloche enamel heart surprise locket features pink guilloche enamel and round white diamonds, set in 18 karat rose gold. In keeping with it...

Category

2010s European Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel

ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2007 "Witches" Black Red Silk Taffeta Bubble Evening Gown
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2007 "Witches" Black Red Silk Taffeta Bubble Evening Gown

ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2007 "Witches" Black Red Silk Taffeta Bubble Evening Gown

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Thiensville, WI

Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 2007 "Witches" Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Evening Gown Color(s): Shades of black, red Lined: Yes Marked Fabric Cont...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns

Vintage Cartier Aquamarine 18 Karat Yellow Gold Single Stone Ring, Circa 1960
Vintage Cartier Aquamarine 18 Karat Yellow Gold Single Stone Ring, Circa 1960

Vintage Cartier Aquamarine 18 Karat Yellow Gold Single Stone Ring, Circa 1960

By Cartier

Located in London, GB

A vintage Cartier aquamarine 18 karat yellow gold single stone ring, circa 1960 This ring is set with an impressive emerald cut aquamarine of 8.77 carats approximately in a half bez...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970s Documented Jean Varon Black Spider Cobweb Dress
1970s Documented Jean Varon Black Spider Cobweb Dress

1970s Documented Jean Varon Black Spider Cobweb Dress

By Jean Varon

Located in London, GB

Fine and rare Jean Varon spider cobweb dress which can be dated to the designer's 1973 collection and featured here in the September issue of British Vogue. Fashioned in a sleek bla...

Category

1970s British Evening Dresses

Vintage Stratton Mother-of-Pearl Compact, Brass, Scalloped Edge, 1960s
Vintage Stratton Mother-of-Pearl Compact, Brass, Scalloped Edge, 1960s

Vintage Stratton Mother-of-Pearl Compact, Brass, Scalloped Edge, 1960s

By Stratton

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a vintage Stratton mother-of-pearl compact. We are so excited to find this great condition English compact with 60 years of life! It is small with a scalloped edge and the to...

Category

Vintage 1960s English Modern Vanity Items

Materials

Brass

Boucheron Silver 18 Karat Gold Jeweled Mid Century Cosmetic Case w Original Box
Boucheron Silver 18 Karat Gold Jeweled Mid Century Cosmetic Case w Original Box

Boucheron Silver 18 Karat Gold Jeweled Mid Century Cosmetic Case w Original Box

By Boucheron

Located in Mount Kisco, NY

Elevate your personal feminine accoutrements or collection with this uniquely romantic mid-century Vanity Cosmetic Case by Boucheron, Paris. Always with a keen sense of style, the w...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Vanity Items

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Hermès Birkin 30 Himalaya Crocodile Niloticus Palladium Hardware
Hermès Birkin 30 Himalaya Crocodile Niloticus Palladium Hardware

Hermès Birkin 30 Himalaya Crocodile Niloticus Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Berlin, DE

Hermès Birkin 30 Himalaya in crocodile niloticus leather with palladium hardware. The bag is unworn and comes as full set including the receipt and Cites. Stamp Y (2020)

Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Exceptional Hermès Passe Guide Bag Shiny Ebene Porosus Crocodile Ghw RARE
Exceptional Hermès Passe Guide Bag Shiny Ebene Porosus Crocodile Ghw RARE

Exceptional Hermès Passe Guide Bag Shiny Ebene Porosus Crocodile Ghw RARE

$32,664Sale Price|20% Off

H 7.49 in W 3.08 in L 9.26 in

Exceptional Hermès Passe Guide Bag Shiny Ebene Porosus Crocodile Ghw RARE

By Hermès

Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique

There's the Kelly, the Birkin, the Constance, and the PASSE-GUIDE Bag ...! To me, the most beautiful Purse Ever! Here is a rare opportunity to get an exceptional Authentic Hermès P...

Category

1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Exceptional Hermès Handbag Purse Clutch in Brown Crocodile Ghw Rare
Exceptional Hermès Handbag Purse Clutch in Brown Crocodile Ghw Rare

Exceptional Hermès Handbag Purse Clutch in Brown Crocodile Ghw Rare

By Hermès

Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique

Absolutely Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Purse Absolutely divine, a jewel Made in France Stamp A in square (1997) Made of shiny niloticus crocodile and golden hardware Lined with la...

Category

1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières

Fabergé Collection Three Colors of Love Gubelin Cert 8.27 Carat Emerald  Ring
Fabergé Collection Three Colors of Love Gubelin Cert 8.27 Carat Emerald  Ring

Fabergé Collection Three Colors of Love Gubelin Cert 8.27 Carat Emerald Ring

By Fabergé

Located in Genève, GE

Three Colours of Love Emerald Ring 103RG180/1 The Three Colours of Love Collection exemplifies ‘The Life in Colour’, seamlessly fusing extraordinary coloured gemstones, artistic in...

Category

2010s British Belle Époque Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

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Fabergé for sale on 1stDibs

While the House of Fabergé is best known for creating the lavishly ornate and intricately devised Imperial Easter eggs given by the last czars to their families as annual holiday gifts, it was the most prestigious Russian luxury goods maker of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Serving the aristocracy and the well-to-do through stores in St. Petersburg, Moscow and as far afield as London, Fabergé crafted a wide range of brooches and other jewelry, clock cases, silver and myriad objets de vertu that included picture frames, cigarette cases, cufflinks and carved hardstone floral and animal figurines. Following the revolution, the firm was closed by the Soviet state in 1918.

Master goldsmith Gustav Fabergé, a descendant of Huguenot emigrées, founded the company in St. Petersburg in 1842. The firm did a brisk trade among the lesser nobility and the merchant class, but it flourished under the guidance of Gustav’s eldest son Peter Carl Fabergé — known also as Karl Gustavovich Fabergé — who took over in 1872.

Cosmopolitan, widely-traveled and himself a master goldsmith — he was sent on a Grand Tour in the 1860s — the younger Fabergé drew early design inspiration when he volunteered to catalogue and restore pieces in the imperial jewelry collection in the Hermitage.

Fabergé pieces based on historical jewelry from the Hermitage caught the attention of Czar Alexander III at a Moscow exhibition in 1882, and three years later he commissioned the first Imperial Easter egg as a gift for the czarina. Czar Nicholas II continued the tradition, presenting two eggs each Easter — one for his wife and one for his mother.

Relatively simple in design compared to the complex cloisonné-adorned eggs that followed, the first Fabergé egg was a white-enameled ovoid containing a gold “yolk” that held a gold hen, which in turn contained a replica of the imperial crown from which hung an egg-shaped ruby pendant.

As the appointed goldsmith to the royal court, the House of Fabergé became the darling of Russian aristocrats as well as wealthy patrons across Europe. Many and varied objets — hundreds of thousands by one count — were made to meet their demand. The firm employed some 500 craftsmen and designers when it was shuttered.

After the Russian Revolution, the Fabergé name and trademark endured a checkered passage through the 20th century.

Family members left their homeland in 1918 and set up a new business in Paris that was mainly concerned with repairing and restoring earlier-made wares. The name was adopted by an American fragrance and beauty products maker in the late 1930s, and later authorized by the family in a 1951 agreement. The trademark has been subsequently sold several times, and attached to numerous products including jewelry.

Fabergé pieces are richly redolent of a romantic past, and a source of thorough delight — for connoisseurs, true Fabergé refers to items made in the firm’s brief, golden decades from 1885 to 1917.

Collectors are advised to make a study of Fabergé works in museum collections such as the Victoria & Albert and the Royal Collection in London to gain an understanding of the quality of genuine goods made by the original firm, and then to purchase only from reputable and reliable dealers, such those at 1stDibs.

Find Fabergé eggs for sale and other objects and vintage jewelry on 1stDibs.