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[[Image:Karl Gustavovich Faberge.jpg|thumb|upright|Peter Carl Fabergé]]
{{No footnotes|date=April 2009}}

'''Peter Carl Fabergé''' also known as "Karl Gustavovich Fabergé" ({{lang-ru|Карл Густавович Фаберже}}, {{OldStyleDate|May 30|1846|May 18}}{{spaced ndash}}September 24, 1920) was a [[Russia]]n [[jewellery|jeweller]], best known for the famous [[Fabergé egg]]s, made in the style of genuine [[Easter egg]]s, but using [[precious metal]]s and [[gemstone]]s rather than more mundane materials.

==Early life==
[[File:Augusta Faberge.jpg|thumb|upright|Augusta Julia Jacobs (Faberge)]]
He was born in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia to the [[Baltic German]] jeweller [[Gustav Fabergé]] and his [[Danish people|Danish]] wife [[Charlotte Jungstedt]]. Gustav Fabergé’s paternal ancestors were [[Huguenot]]s, originally from [[La Bouteille]], [[Picardy]], who fled from France after the [[Edict of Fontainebleau|revocation of the Edict of Nantes]], first to Germany near [[Berlin]], then in 1800 to the [[Baltic provinces|Baltic]] province of [[Livonia]], then part of Russia.

Initially educated in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia, in 1860 Gustav Fabergé, together with his wife and children retired to [[Dresden]], leaving the business in the hands of capable and trusted managers. Peter Carl possibly undertook a course at the Dresden Arts and Crafts School. Two years later, Agathon, the Fabergé's second son was born.

In 1864, Peter Carl embarked upon a [[Grand Tour]] of Europe. He received tuition from respected goldsmiths in Germany, France and England, attended a course at Schloss’s Commercial College in Paris, and viewed the objects in the galleries of Europe’s leading museums.

His travel and study continued until 1872, when at the age of 26 he returned to St. Petersburg and married Augusta Julia Jacobs. For the following 10 years, his father’s trusted workmaster Hiskias Pendin acted as his mentor and tutor. The company was also involved with cataloguing, repairing, and restoring objects in the [[Hermitage Museum|Hermitage]] during the 1870s. In 1881 the business moved to larger street-level premises at 16/18 Bolshaya Morskaya.

==Takes over the family business==
[[File:Karl Faberge.jpg|thumb|Peter Carl Faberge at work]]
Upon the death of Hiskias Pendin in 1882, Carl Fabergé took sole responsibility for running the company. Carl was awarded the title Master Goldsmith, which permitted him to use his own hallmark in addition to that of the firm. Carl Fabergé’s reputation was so high that the normal three-day examination was waived.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} His brother, Agathon, an extremely talented and creative designer, joined the business from Dresden, where he had also possibly studied at the Arts and Crafts School.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

Carl and Agathon were a sensation at the [[Pan-Russian Exhibition]] held in [[Moscow]] in 1882. Carl was awarded a gold medal and the St. Stanisias Medal. One of the Fabergé pieces displayed was a replica of a 4th century BC gold bangle from the Scythian Treasure in the Hermitage. The Tsar declared that he could not distinguish the Fabergé's work from the original and ordered that objects by the [[House of Fabergé]] should be displayed in the Hermitage as examples of superb contemporary Russian craftsmanship. The House of Fabergé with its range of jewels was now within the focus of Russia’s Imperial Court.

When Peter Carl took over the House, there was a move from producing jewellery in the then fashionable French 18th century style, to becoming artist-jewellers. This resulted in reviving the lost art of enamelling and concentrating on setting every single stone in a piece to its best advantage. Indeed, it was not unusual for Agathon to make ten or more wax models so that all possibilities could be exhausted before deciding on a final design. Shortly after Agathon joined the firm, the House introduced ''objects deluxe'': gold bejewelled items embellished with enamel ranging from electric bell pushes to cigarette cases, including ''objects de fantaisie''.

In 1885, Tsar [[Alexander III of Russia|Alexander III]] gave the House of Fabergé the title; ‘Goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown’.

==Easter eggs==
{{Main|Fabergé egg}}
[[File:Kuz most 26.jpg|thumb|Shop of Faberge in Moscow ([[Kuznetsky Most]] 4), 1893]]
The Tsar also commissioned the company to make an Easter egg as a gift for his wife, the Empress [[Maria Feodorovna (Dagmar of Denmark)|Maria]]. The Tsar placed an order for another egg the following year. However, from 1887, Carl Fabergé was apparently given complete freedom with regard to design, which then become more and more elaborate. According to the Fabergé Family tradition, not even the Tsar knew what form they would take: the only stipulation was that each one should contain a surprise. The next Tsar, [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II]], ordered two eggs each year, one for his mother and one for his own wife, [[Alexandra Fyodorovna of Hesse|Alexandra]]. The tradition continued until the [[October Revolution]].

Although the House of Fabergé is famed for its Imperial Easter eggs, it made many more objects ranging from silver tableware to fine jewelry. Fabergé’s company became the largest jewellery business in Russia. In addition to its [[Saint Petersburg]] head quarters, there were branches in [[Moscow]], [[Odessa]], [[Kiev]] and [[London]]. It produced some 150,000 to 200,000 objects from 1882 until 1917.

In 1900, his work represented Russia at the [[1900 World's Fair|1900 World’s Fair]] in [[Paris]]. As Carl Fabergé was a member of the Jury, the House of Fabergé therefore exhibited ''hors concours'' (without competing). Nevertheless, the House was awarded a gold medal and the city’s jewellers recognised Carl Fabergé as maître. Additionally, Carl Fabergé was decorated with the most prestigious of French awards – he was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Two of Carl's sons and his Head Workmaster were also honored. Commercially, the exposition was a great success and the firm acquired a great many orders and clients.

On 30th May 2012, Google honored Carl Fabergé with a picture of his prized Fabergé eggs on the front search page.<ref>[http://www.maxblogtips.com/peter-carl-fabergs-166th-birthday-google-doodle/ Peter Carl Fabergé] Easter Eggs Google doodle</ref>

[[Image:Madonna Lily Egg.jpg|thumb|upright|Bouquet of Lilies or Madonna Lily Egg by Fabergé]]
[[Image:Faberge store.jpg|thumb|upright|The main Fabergé store in [[Saint Petersburg]] was officially renamed Yakhont (Ruby) but still is known as the Fabergé store.]]

==Stock, Russian Revolution and Nationalization==
In 1916, the House of Fabergé became a joint-stock company with a capital of 3-million rubles.

The following year upon the outbreak of the [[October Revolution]], the business was taken over by a 'Committee of the Employees of the Company K Fabergé. In 1918 The House of Fabergé was nationalised by the [[Bolsheviks]]. In early October the stock was confiscated. The House of Fabergé was no more. {{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

After the [[nationalisation]] of the business, Carl Fabergé left St. Petersburg on the last [[diplomatic]] train for [[Riga]]. In mid-November, the Revolution having reached [[Latvia]], he fled to Germany and first settled in [[Bad Homburg]] and then in [[Wiesbaden]]. Eugène, the Fabergé's eldest, travelled with his mother in darkness by sleigh and on foot through snow-covered woods and reached [[Finland]] in December 1918. During June 1920, Eugène reached Wiesbaden and accompanied his father to [[Switzerland]] where other members of the family had taken refuge at the Bellevue Hotel, in Pully near [[Lausanne]].

Peter Carl Fabergé never recovered from the shock of the [[Russian Revolution (1917)|Russian Revolution]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} In exile, the words always on his lips were, ‘This life is not worth living’.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} He died in Switzerland on September 24, 1920. His family believed he died of a broken heart.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} His wife Augusta died in 1925. The two were reunited in 1929 when Eugène Fabergé took his father’s ashes from Lausanne and buried them in his mother’s grave at the [[Cimetière du Grand Jas]] in [[Cannes]], France.

Fabergé had four sons: [[Eugène Fabergé|Eugène]] (1874–1960), [[Agathon Fabergé|Agathon]] (1876–1951), [[Alexander Fabergé|Alexander]] (1877–1952) and [[Nikolai Fabergé|Nicholas]] (1884–1939). Descendants of Peter Carl Fabergé live in mainland Europe, Scandinavia and South America.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

==Personal life==
Henry Bainbridge, a manager of the London branch of the House of Fabergé recorded recollections of his meetings with his employer in both his autobiography<ref>''Twice Seven: The Autobiography of H C Bainbridge'' (Routledge, London, 1933)</ref> and the book he wrote about Fabergé.<ref>''Fabergé: Goldsmith and Jeweller to the Imperial Court – His Life and Work'' (Batsford, London, 1949)</ref> We are also given an insight into the man from the recollections of François Birbaum, Fabergé’s senior master craftsman from 1893 until the House’s demise.<ref>''The History of the House of Fabergé according to the recollections of the senior master craftsman of the firm Franz P. Birbaum'' This was handwritten in 1919 at the request (or order) of the Soviet authorities. It added considerably to the knowledge of how the House of Fabergé operated. The English translation was published by Tatiana F Fabergé (great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé) and Valentin V. Skurlov in St. Petersburg in 1992.</ref>

From Bainbridge we know that while punctilious with his dress, Fabergé ‘''rarely if ever wore black but favoured well-cut tweeds''’. He added ‘''There was an air of the country gentleman about him, at times he reminded one of an immaculate gamekeeper with large pockets.''’ He was a very focused individual with no wasted actions or speech. He did not like small talk. On one occasion during dinner Bainbridge, feeling out of the conversation said, ‘''I see Lord Swaythingly is dead''’. Fabergé asked who he was and upon being told responded cuttingly, ‘''And what can I do with a dead banker?''’

When taking orders from customers he was always in a hurry and would soon forget the fine detail. He would then interrogate the staff so as to find who was standing near him who may have overheard. His great-granddaughter Tatiana Fabergé notes that he usually had a knotted handkerchief in his breast pocket.

When he noticed an unsuccessful article, he would call for his senior master craftsman and make endless derisory and ironic remarks. {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}} On occasions when Birbaum realised Fabergé was the designer, he would show him his sketch. Fabergé would then smile guiltily and say, ‘''Since there is nobody to scold me, I have had to do it myself''’.

From Birbaum we also know that he was famous for his wit and was quite merciless to [[fop]]s, whom he hated. A certain Prince who fell into this category boasted to Fabergé about his latest honour from the Tsar, adding that he had no idea as to why the award was made. Anticipating to be showered with congratulations from the jeweller, Fabergé simply replied, ‘''Indeed, your Highness, I too have no idea what for''’.

He never travelled with luggage, but bought all his requisites at his destination. On one occasion he arrived at the Negresco Hotel in Nice. The doorman barred his entrance because of the amount of luggage carried. Thankfully one of the Grand Dukes who was in residence called out a greeting and Carl Fabergé was ushered apologetically into the establishment.

Bainbridge concludes, ‘''Taking him all in all, Fabergé came as near to a complete understanding of human nature as it is possible for a man to come, with one word only inscribed on his banner, and that word – tolerance. There is no doubt whatever that this consideration for the worth of others was the foundation for his success.''’

==References==
{{reflist}}

* Tatiana Fabergé, Lynekmkmtte G. Proler, Valentin V, Skurlov. ''The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs'' (London, Christie's 1997) ISBN 0-297-83565-3
* ''The History of the House of Fabergé according to the recollections of the senior master craftsman of the firm, Franz P. Birbaum'' (St Petersburg, Fabergé and Skurlov, 1992)
* Henry Charles Bainbridge. ''Peter Carl Fabergé – Goldsmith and Jeweller to the Russian Imperial Court – His Life and Work'' (London 1979, Batsfords – later reprints available such as New York, Crescent Books, 1979)
* A Kenneth Snowman ''The Art of Carl Fabergé'' (London, Faber & Faber, 1953–68)SBN 571 05113 8
* Geza von Habsburg ''Fabergé'' (Geneva, Habsburg, Feldman Editions, 1987) ISBN 0-571-15384-4
* Alexander von Solodkoff & others. ''Masterpieces from the House of Fabergé'' (New York, Harry N Abrahams, 1984) ISBN 0-8109-0933-2 * Géza von Habsburg ''Fabergé Treasures of Imperial Russia'' (Link of Times Foundation, 2004) ISBN 5-9900284-1-5
* Toby Faber. ''Faberge's Eggs: The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire'' (New York: Random House, 2008) ISBN 978-1-4000-6550-9
* Gerald Hill. ''Faberge and the Russian Master Goldsmiths'' (New York: Universe, 2007) ISBN 978-0-7893-9970-0
* [[A Kenneth Snowman]], ''Carl Fabergé: Goldsmith to the Imperial Court of Russia'' (Random House, 1988), ISBN 0-517-40502-4

==External links==
{{commons|Fabergé egg}}
*[http://www.iploiesti.ro/166-de-ani-de-la-nasterea-lui-peter-carl-faberge 166 years anniversary, today 30.05.2012]
*[http://trevijewelry.com/faberge-art/faberge-biography.html More facts from Faberge biography]
*[http://context.themoscowtimes.com/print.php?aid=157651 Empire of Eggs, Svetlana Graudt, Moscow Times, November 18, 2005]
*[http://www.wartski.com Wartski, London Fabergé specialists]
*[http://www.alvr.com A La Vieille Russie. New York. American Fabergé Specialists]
*[http://ornamentalturning.net/history/victorian_era_turner-faberge.html The House of Fabergé]
*[http://ornamentalturning.net/gallery/index.html Current Fabergé Museum Exhibitions]
*[http://www.faberge-elegance.com/ Picture gallery of private art collector]
*[http://www.pallinghurst.com/index.htm Pallinghurst Resources LLP]
*[http://sxuhero.com/faberge/ Objects of Fantasy – The World of Peter Carl Faberge] Melissa Jellema. St. Xavier University. Chicago, IL. May 3, 2008
*[http://www.topic2012.com/peter-carl-faberge-google-logo/ Google Logo Peter Carl Fabergé 166 Anniversary]
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Faberge, Peter Carl
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = May 30, 1846
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = September 24, 1920
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faberge, Peter Carl}}
[[Category:1846 births]]
[[Category:1920 deaths]]
[[Category:Burials at the Cimetière du Grand Jas]]
[[Category:Fabergé family|Peter Carl Faberge]]
[[Category:People from Saint Petersburg]]
[[Category:Russian artists]]
[[Category:Russian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Russian goldsmiths]]
[[Category:Russian inventors]]
[[Category:Russian jewellers]]
[[Category:Russian people of Danish descent]]
[[Category:Russian people of French descent]]

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[[bg:Петер Карл Фаберже]]
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[[el:Πέτερ Καρλ Φαμπερζέ]]
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[[hr:Petar Karl Fabergé]]
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[[mk:Петар Карл Фаберже]]
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[[tr:Peter Carl Fabergé]]
[[uk:Карл Петер Фаберже]]
[[vi:Peter Carl Fabergé]]

Revision as of 01:52, 30 May 2012

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