DID YOU KNOW ? One of Fabergé's famous eggs pays tribute to the Trans-Siberian

By listening to the story devoted to the Transsiberian, you may have wanted to know more about the astonishing wagon-chapel of the Transsiberian by Tsar Nicolas II. In this bonus episode of "At the heart of history", the history specialist Jean des Cars tells you how this wagon inspired the famous jeweler Carl Fabergé. He made it into a splendid miniature jewel, unique in the world, now on display at the Kremlin ...

While visiting the rooms of jewels and jewelry of the Russian imperial family in the Kremlin, do not miss the showcase where is exposed a golden egg on an alabaster base. This wonder is the work of Carl Fabergé. He is the descendant of a family of Picard origin but exiled in Germany after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV. A major fault of the Sun King who deprived France of many exceptional craftsmen. 

Many of these talented emigrants had settled in northern Europe and Russia. In 1842, Gustave Fabergé opened a jewelry workshop in Saint Petersburg. It is a success. It then expands its activity in Moscow and will have up to 500 craftsmen who will create more than 150,000 pieces. Using precious metals and rare stones, he specializes in useful but decorative objects, very small and refined. From 1884, his son Carl produced splendid Easter eggs, intended for Tsar Alexander III and then for his son Nicholas II, who offered them to his wife and mother. There are eggs of all kinds: the Resurrection egg, the lily of the valley egg, the coronation coach egg. Jokingly, he said, "I am subsidized by the tsar to make eggs!"

A platinum, gold and silver egg

His masterpiece is also the most original. In 1900, he chiseled a 27 cm egg, made of platinum, gold and silver, in which there was a tiny Trans-Siberian Railway with its locomotive, tender, four cars and the famous chapel wagon I told you about. This Trans-Siberian is mechanical: the machine has a spring. We reassemble it with a small key. This tiny Imperial Trans-Siberian is walking! Like a child's toy! But what a toy!

On the egg is engraved a map: it is the longest railway in the world, from Moscow to Vladivostok. Each important station is indicated by a precious stone. An incredible work of goldsmith! This egg was given to Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, the very active wife of Tsar Nicholas II. This gem is a wonder. If you go to Moscow, don't miss to admire it at the Kremlin Museum.

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"At the heart of history" is a Europe 1 Studio podcast

Author and presentation: Jean des Cars 

Project manager: Adèle Ponticelli

Realization: Laurent Sirguy and Guillaume Vasseau

Diffusion and edition: Clémence Olivier

Graphics: Europe 1 Studio

 Bibliography: Jean des Cars  Dictionary Amoureux des Trains  (Plon, 2006, re-edition 2013)