Why Fabergé Eggs Became a Symbol of Easter Tradition in Europe
- Alisa Bychkova
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
How a simple Easter tradition inspired one of the most famous masterpieces of decorative art
When people think of Easter eggs, they usually imagine painted shells hidden in gardens or exchanged at family gatherings. But one of the most famous Easter gifts in history came from the Russian imperial court, and turned a simple tradition into a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
The Origins of the Fabergé Company in Saint Petersburg
The history of the famous Fabergé eggs does not begin with luxury, but with a little workshop in Saint Petersburg. The Fabergé workshop was founded in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé. At the time, it was a small jewellery business. Its international reputation only began to grow when his son, Peter Carl Fabergé, took over and transformed the workshop into one of Europe’s most admired houses of decorative art.
The First Imperial Fabergé Egg Created for Tsar Alexander III
In 1885, Tsar Alexander III commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé to create a special Easter gift for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna - a gesture that would begin one of the most remarkable traditions in the history of decorative art. The result was the first Imperial Fabergé Egg - a white enamel egg that opened to reveal a golden hen hidden inside, called the Hen Egg. Inspired by the long-standing tradition of exchanging Easter eggs in Orthodox Europe, the gift combined familiar symbolism with extraordinary craftsmanship. The Empress was delighted, and the success of the object marked the beginning of a new annual Easter tradition within the Romanov family. In total, 50 Imperial Easter eggs were created for the Romanov family, each with its own design and surprise hidden inside.
Why Easter Eggs Played a Central Role in Orthodox Easter Traditions
The idea of giving eggs at Easter was not new at the Russian imperial court. Across Orthodox Europe, exchanging decorated eggs had long been a central part of Easter celebrations and symbolised renewal and new life through the story of the resurrection. People from all social backgrounds took part in this tradition. What made the Romanov version distinctive was the scale of craftsmanship involved: under Peter Carl Fabergé, a familiar seasonal gesture was transformed into one of the most remarkable traditions of imperial decorative art.
Why Eggs Became a Symbol of Easter in Europe
Long before Fabergé created the Imperial Eggs, the egg had already become one of the most important symbols of Easter across Europe. As a sign of spring, renewal and new beginnings, it appeared in many regional customs and family celebrations. For centuries, families decorated and exchanged eggs as part of their Easter traditions - a practice that continues in many countries today. The Fabergé eggs did not introduce this symbolism, but transformed a familiar seasonal custom into an extraordinary example of decorative art.
How Fabergé Eggs Are Connected to Easter Traditions
The connection between Fabergé eggs and Easter traditions lies in their shared symbolism. Like the decorated eggs exchanged across Europe, the imperial Fabergé eggs celebrated renewal and hope at Easter. What made them exceptional was not their meaning, but their craftsmanship. Under Peter Carl Fabergé, a familiar seasonal gesture was transformed into objects of remarkable artistic quality that combined tradition with innovation. In this way, the Fabergé eggs became a luxurious interpretation of a custom that was already widely shared across different social groups and cultures.
Today, Fabergé eggs remain some of the most famous examples of European decorative art. They show how a simple Easter tradition could inspire extraordinary creativity, and how everyday cultural symbols can connect people across centuries, social backgrounds and artistic traditions, which is why Fabergé eggs remain highlights of museum collections around the world today.
