Fabulous Faberge

 

I have visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond a number of times, but until yesterday I have never managed to see their collection of Faberge and other Russian treasures - as these have been on tour for several years.

 

The Faberge eggs are, of course, exquisite in their detail and precious materials but there were many other items in the collection - much of which was a bequest to the museum from a very keen American lady collector.

 

There were many beautiful guilloche enamel and precious metal photo frames from the early 20th century.  At that time   pre-loaded film cameras were a novelty and much of the photographic record of the last Tsar and his family was recorded by them in this way.  The portraits above are formal ones, however.

 

 

The Faberge stone and precious metal flowers were very lovely too..

 

 

 

Faberge furniture is understandably rare - little was made and very few pieces have survived.  This nephrite jade table was extraordinary..

 

Of course there was also beautiful jewelery...

 

 

Finally, carvings in semi precious stones..

 

 

All in all an amazing collection!