Fabergé Museum
The Faberge Museum was opened on 9 May 2009 in the spa town of Baden -Baden from the Russian art collector Alexander Ivanov. It is the first museum dedicated to the art of jewelry of the Russian Tsar jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé.
History
The Fabergé was founded in 1842 in St. Petersburg, and it was the official supplier of the Russian Imperial Court from 1885 to 1917. You also supplied luxury goods to the Russian and European aristocracy. In addition to the Russian Tsars were also the Queen of England and the royal family of Siam (now Thailand) customers of Fabergé. After the October Revolution the Fabergé was closed and their exquisite works have been almost forgotten. Fabergé has become in the 1960s with the US-led Malcolm Forbes Western collectors popular again. Beginning of the 21st century are the prices due to such Russians as Ivanov who enjoy the beautiful artwork of the heritage of their country, increased.
Museum
Alexander Ivanov announced that it had cost around 17 million euros to buy the museum building and to renovate, including 1 million euros for the security system. He decided to Baden- Baden, which is located in the southwest of Germany. The town is " calm and beautiful, in the middle of Europe, close to France and Switzerland, a resort for the rich, and historically it has always been the most popular resort for Russians, " - says the art collector. Because of the security he opted for Germany. The art collector told the British newspaper "Independent ": " It is very difficult [ in Russia ] because of the many administrative hurdles [ ... ] One must always thank someone, and you can never have the feeling that his collection is sure: not before the state, not from bandits, in front of anyone. Of course, in Germany we spend lots of money for the security system, but at least we know that the state will even do anything. " In the near future an extension of the museum is also provided; this connection would mean more than 600 meters of exhibition space for European paintings of the old masters and pre-Columbian jewelry from Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru. In addition, to be shown to more than 2,000 square meters Ivanov vintage car collection. He has about 50 American and European classic cars, which are all in very good condition, and dating from the period between the late 1890s and 1930s. In addition, the opening of a Fabergé Museum should be planned in Dubrovnik.
Collection
In the unique collection of the museum, which currently has over 700 exhibits, the entire spectrum of Fabergé's work is represented; from the famous imperial Easter eggs of the imperial family to incurred during the First World War, jewelery and high-quality objects of everyday use. The famous Faberge eggs represent only a small part of the collection of the Museum dar. The largest exhibit the museum's collection is the Rothschild Faberge egg that was made in 1902 as an engagement gift from Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild at her brother's fiancée. Alexander Ivanov bought it on 28 November 2007 for about 9 million pounds (about 12.5 million euros ), the auction house Christie's in London because the art collector believed that it was the "most beautiful [ work ] of all time " whether under all the works of Fabergé. In addition to the Rothschild Fabergé egg, there is also a rare silver decanter in the form of a hare, and the last decorated with gold and diamonds Fabergé egg Karelian birch, which was created for Easter 1917. Czar Nicholas II, however, was deposed before he could give it to his mother. Nevertheless, as Ivanov bought the Karelian egg for the first time, some experts have questioned its authenticity, since the existence of the Karelian ice was not known before. Ivanov, however, has now discovered documents in the Russian state archives that prove the authenticity of the ice.
Name dispute
During the first twelve months, the Fabergé Museum had made a profit, which was significantly lower than originally expected. In large part, this was probably because of a process with the Fabergé Ltd.. For 2009, only a month before the official opening of the museum, which had registered in the Cayman Islands Faberge Ltd, part of the South African family Gilbertson, initiated a dispute over rights to the trademark " Fabergé ". During that dispute, the museum was not allowed to use the name " Fabergé "; that meant no advertising, but also no sign on the door. 2010, the trial in a German court in favor of the Fabergé Museum was decided, and the Museum began to use the name " Fabergé ".