I love the story of the discovery of the 1887 Faberge Egg. Not only does it prove lost treasures can still be found in today times, but it causes a person to seriously think and appreciate what makes a treasure a treasure.
Many times, maybe most times, a treasure is not just a treasure because of its basic monetary value, but is cherished for the meaningful, emotional, and notable worth the ‘treasure’ represents or invokes in a person. This often unseen aspect is a worth of unlimited potential. For many things, it makes the prize priceless for the person who admires and is mindful of the hidden appeal.
The extraordinary discovery of the 1887 Faberge Egg is an example of gaining such awareness for the difference of intrinsic value to amazing worth. As the tale goes the 1887 Egg was first thought of having an approximate value of around $15,000 dollars. However, it soon became realized to hold a worth of $33 million dollars.
What changed in the ‘treasure’?
Nothing; only the perception of what the treasure truly was changed. It is sad to think the ‘treasure’ could have been lost forever; and almost was. It reminds us all to consider and view things deeper.
In 2012 (publicized in 2014), a man dealing in scrap metals realized a Golden Egg he had previously bought for around 14,000 dollars was a lost treasure of the Ramonov Empire. When he first purchased the egg, he had thoughts of making a few bucks from melting it down and selling it for the value of the Gold and jewels it contained.
Before doing so, however, the story goes that he Googled ‘Egg’ and ‘Vacheron Constantin’ (a name noticed to be engraved on the golden watch inside the egg).
His Google search provided him an exact image of the Golden Egg sitting in front of him. The image was part of a 2011 article stating the Egg was one of the missing Royal Faberge Eggs of Russia with a worth of 33 million.
What is so staggering is the 2011 article was sharing that this particular Faberge Egg, thought to have been lost or destroyed in the 1917 Russian Revolution, was surprisingly sold in 1964. It was sold without being realized it was a Faberge Egg. But since it was listed in the auction catalog, and the catalog contained a photo of the listed ‘Gold Watch in Egg Form Case’, a Faberge enthusiast recognized it as one of the lost Imperial eggs photographed in 1902. The article was written to announce this incredible discovery and said the egg was being actively searched for.
After coming across this article, the scrap dealer contacted the experts and the Third Imperial Egg became appreciated for the treasure it is. It’s remarkable how the stories came together for the miraculous find! You never know when you may come across a treasure!
The 1887 Imperial Egg was created especially as an Easter gift from Tsar Alexander III to his wife, Tsarina Maria Fedorovna. It was the third to be given. Over a period from 1885 to 1916, fifty Imperial Eggs were known to have been delicately crafted and designed by Carl Faberge for the Russian Tzars.
These exquisite gifts in themselves also held spectacular surprises inside their outer layers. Carl Faberge was a remarkable craftsman and his creations were admired for their unique themes, expensive jewels, attention to detail, and unmatched skill.
Currently, seven Imperial Faberge Eggs remain lost, and some of the tiny, but stunning items hidden within the eggs have also been lost. They may never be discovered, but as the above story illustrates, it’s possible they may be eventually be found!
If you have a ‘lost treasure’ story, a discovery of something you hold dear, and want to share it, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to post it on site.
Finding Treasures encourages all. And remember, it doesn’t have to be a monetary find….just a treasure to you.
Neat story!
It pays to Google 🙂 Lucky he did that before he melted down the gold. Can you imagine how he would have felt if he melted it down and then later saw the photo of the egg? wow and what other treasures are out there to be found?
Definitely paid to Google! lol. And yes, I can’t even imagine if he had melted down the egg for the gold, to later realize what it was….. Thank goodness he didn’t. A treasure was saved from being lost forever!!
As it turns out, the curators in charge of protecting the Amber Room during the war attempted to hide it under wallpaper due to its fragile state, but that did not stop the Nazis from looting this nearly priceless treasure. It was then brought to Konigsberg Castle in Germany, but in 1944 Allied forces destroyed the city and left the castle in ruin—the Amber Room was lost forever.