The Diamond Wedding FABERGÉ Egg, Victor Mayer for FABERGÉ Ltd, 2007, Egg shaped in 18 carat yellow gold, moiré guilloché and hand enamelled in Royal Red, carved lattice-work in 18 carat yellow gold, aloft a representation of St Edward's Crown finished in red enamel. Initials E and P, separated by Maltese-style cross encrusted with twenty-one diamonds. The stand of pure white agate, decorated with 18 carat yellow gold and enamelled flowers. The base of 18 carat yellow gold supported by three legs in the style of lions, ELIZABETH AND PHILIP TVEATVR VNITA DEVS (May God Guard These United) and two interlocked wedding rings engraved alongside the date of the marriage in roman numerals. Tudor rose clasp fashioned in rose gold, reveals the internal topaz gemstone cut with sixty facets, aloft a white enamelled rose gold anchor. Housed in original Fabergé polished cherry wood and ivory silk box, as issued, with certificate booklet of authenticity [Reference F2683RT / 7SFAB7, No. 21 of 21 issued]. Signed with Victor Mayer maker's mark, hallmarked 750. Egg diameter, 65mm. Base diameter, 65mm. Total Height 135mm. Gross weight 215.00g. Diamond weight 0.335ct.
The bejewelled, almost magical Eggs created by Peter Carl Faberge for the Russian Czars, all lavishly decorated and all holding a wonderful surprise inside, are now legendary. Fabulous in their jewel-studded beauty, they began a tradition that has captured the hearts of art lovers and collectors the world over.
The Diamond Wedding Egg, however, is a unique jewel in the history of FABERGÉ. It is the first Egg to celebrate a Wedding Anniversary of a reigning monarch although Peter Carl Faberge, having opening his London branch in 1903, enjoyed the patronage of the British Royal Family for many years before the onset of the Russian revolution inevitably brought the relationship to an end.
The fascinating tradition inspired the Royal Mint to commission the Diamond Wedding FABERGÉ Egg in celebration of the 60th Wedding Anniversary of the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. The Egg bears features which relate to the royal couple and the royal wedding as well as having numismatic links to the coinage, in particular the Diamond Wedding Crown. The carved lattice-work of the Egg has been inspired by the North Rose Window of Westminster Abbey where, on 20th November 1947, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married. The stand of white agate and accompanying flowers, is beautifully symbolic of Elizabeth's wedding dress and rests on a base supported by three legs whose heads recall the three lions of England which form part of the Royal Arms.
Reflecting the age of the Princess Elizabeth at her marriage, only twenty-one Diamond Wedding Eggs were hand crafted by FABERGÉ.
Estimate: £30000 - £35000