“Fabergé Revealed” at the VMFA

The Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s new exhibition houses the largest collection of Fabergé on public view in the United States and Behind the Scenes was there on opening day. WCVE Public Radio’s Bobbie Barajas spoke to Dr. Géza von Habsburg, Curator at the VMFA for “Fabergé Revealed,” and Daniel Hodges, a private collector who loaned the museum numerous pieces of his personal collection to be displayed in this exhibit, which runs through October 2, 2011.

“Fabergé Revealed” includes works from four collections in America, totaling more than 500 objects. The Russian jeweler Karl Fabergé, arguably the most famous jeweler of all time, crafted objects for the families of the last two tsars of Russia and for most of Europe’s nobility. He is best known for his Imperial Easter eggs.

VMFA’s collection is the largest public collection of Fabergé in this country and includes five Russian Imperial Easter eggs. Only 50 were created by this world-renowned jeweler. Most Fabergé works are made from gold, platinum, diamonds and rubies, among other precious metals and gemstones.

“The dazzling artistry of Fabergé has been a longtime favorite of visitors to our art museum,” Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Director Alex Nyerges said. “To see the Easter eggs is a treat itself, but to see them accompanied by hundreds of other Fabergé works of art is just incredible. We are pleased to have Dr. Géza von Habsburg, a preeminent Fabergé scholar, to curate this exhibition and provide fascinating new scholarship on the Virginia Museum’s most popular collection.”

The exhibition is separated into six sections, showcasing works with precious metals, gemstones, enamels, miniature Easter eggs and hardstone carvings. The exhibit allows a full 360-degree view of each Imperial Easter egg.

Learn more about this special exhibit here. Then be sure to visit the VMFA to see these beautiful works in person.