25 Jan 2005 - A SPECIALLY-COMMISSIONED Faberge egg worth ‘10,000 will be on sale in Guernsey next month to raise money for the RNLI. Jeweller Theo Faberge was commissioned by the institution to produce 50 eggs to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

And Philip Birkenstein, chairman of the St Petersburg Collection, will be speaking on the history of the Faberge family at a special dinner at Sausmarez Manor.

‘We recognise that only a few people will be able to invest in a Trafalgar egg, but it has always been a family policy to produce less expensive items too,’ he said.

‘At the event I will be presenting many different pieces, with some selling for as little as ‘80. We will also be holding a special raffle in aid of the RNLI.’

He said that the family story of the House of Faberge was fascinating.

‘In 1855, Czar Alexander III and Czarina Maria Feodorovna of Russia celebrated their 29th anniversary and a young jeweller called Carl Faberge was commissioned to make a special present.

‘To the delight of the empress, the simple egg that he had made had a golden yolk inside; within the yolk was a golden hen; and concealed within the hen was a diamond miniature of the royal crown and a tiny ruby egg ‘ both now lost to history.

‘Carl became a court favourite and his work made him famous around the world.’

Nicholas, the youngest of Carl’s five sons, arrived in London from St Petersburg in 1906 to help run the only overseas branch of the House of Faberge. In 1922, his son, Theo, was born and now he and his daughter, Sarah, continue the family tradition of designing and producing beautiful objects using precious metals, crystal, enamels, lapidary, precious gems and porcelain.

Celia Allen, from the RNLI, said that the evening, which is supported by SeaGuernsey 2005, would be very special.

‘It will be an intimate event with room for just 60 people and the Sausmarez Manor setting is perfect. The expertise of Mr Birkenstein combined with a superb dinner and a champagne reception will make this a night to remember. We believe that this is not just a night for collectors but for anyone who has an interest in exquisite craftsmanship.’

Article courtesy of www.thisisguernsey.com