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New York, NY--The Natural Diamond Council notes a landmark moment in the world of historic jewelry and decorative arts following the record-breaking sale of the Winter Egg by Fabergé, which achieved £22.8 million ($30.2 million) at Christie’s London.

This result sets a new world auction record for any work by Fabergé, surpassing the previous benchmark by more than £13 million ($17 million set in 2007 by the Rothschild Egg, also at Christie’s. 

[Fabergé Imperial Winter Egg. Photo credit: Christie's]

Commissioned in 1913 by Emperor Nicholas II as an Easter gift for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, the Winter Egg is widely regarded as one of Fabergé’s most remarkable technical and artistic triumphs. Its sale marks the third time the masterpiece has set the Fabergé auction record, each occasion taking place at Christie’s. Grant Mobley, Natural Diamond Council, commented: 

"The record-breaking sale of the Winter Egg underscores just how rare and extraordinary the Imperial Fabergé creations are, and why collectors continue to treat them as some of the most important works of art ever made. This particular egg stands apart as maybe the most diamond-centric of all the Imperial Easter Eggs, and its use of natural diamonds plays a major role in its enduring appeal. The craftsmanship, the provenance, and the near-mythic status of the Winter Egg made this a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Its $30 million result not only sets a new benchmark for Fabergé, it reinforces the value that natural diamonds bring to the world’s greatest objets d’art."