With the opening of a Fabergé boutique in the Piccadilly Arcade, the luxury jewellery brand is starting a new chapter in its historic love affair with London, which dates back to 1906, when the first Fabergé boutique outside Russia opened in Dover Street. Four years later, it relocated to Bond Street. The store was patronised by royalty, nobility and the socialites of the day. The Brits simply fell in love with the creations of the famed Russian jeweller.
Of the many celebrated names in the global history of high-end jewellery, that of Gustav Faberge, is perhaps one of the most revered. Born in 1814, Gustav trained as a goldsmith under Andreas Spiegel in St. Petersburg in the late 1820s, later joining Keibel – a rapidly growing firm that had begun receiving commissions from the Russian Imperial Court – before opening his own shop (and adding a chic acute accent to the last ‘e’ of his surname) in 1842.
Left: the new Fabergé store in London’s Picadilly Arcade. Right: the first Fabergé store in New Bond Street, 1910.
It was however Gustav’s son, Peter Carl, who, along with his younger brother Agathon, was to earn the business international recognition. Peter Carl travelled extensively across Europe meeting goldsmiths and becoming familiar with new manufacturing techniques as well as immersing himself in the art of the continent’s finest museums and galleries before returning to St. Petersburg to take the reins on his father’s retirement in 1870.
It wasn’t until 1885 with the commissioning by Czar Alexander III of a decorative Easter egg for his wife, that the house of Fabergé created a design icon which was to continue until 1916 and for which it is still known today. In total fifty “Imperial Eggs” were created and, such was their magnificence, Fabergé was honoured with the title, “Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown”.
The one-of-a-kind Fabergé Game of Thrones Egg, co-designed by Fabergé’s Liisa Tallgren and Michele Clapton, the Emmy and BAFTA-winning costume designer from HBO’s Game of Thrones.
As history confirms, the rise of the Russian Revolution in 1917 not only sealed the tragic fate of the ruling Romanov family but also forced the Fabergé household to escape as their business was nationalised and the stock confiscated. The boutique in London had actually closed in 1915 following the outbreak of the Great War.
Not all was lost. By 1924 two of Peter Carl’s four sons had set up “Fabergé & Cie” in Paris. The company would continue to grow and thrive for decades to come.
How wonderful then that aficionados of this storied brand can once again enjoy the opulence of these hand-crafted jewels and objets d’art in the dedicated new boutique at 14, Piccadilly Arcade, a (precious) stone’s throw from where their London story began.
Displays at the new Fabergé boutique at 14, Picadilly Arcade, London.
In the words of the current CEO Anthony Lindsay, “We are delighted to open our doors again. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to our new boutique to discover our latest collections and to meet our wonderful team.”
Fabergé
14 Piccadilly Arcade, London, SW1Y 6NH
Open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. To book a private appointment, please contact: boutique.london@faberge.com, or book online.
Author: Maurice Mullen
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