"The World's Most Expensive Egg"... 'Faberg? Egg' Sold for 44.4 Billion KRW

The Russian Imperial treasure, the 'Faberg? Egg,' was sold at Christie's auction in London for 22.9 million pounds (approximately 44.4 billion KRW), far surpassing the previous record price.

The British broadcaster BBC and others reported on the 7th (local time) that the 'Winter Egg,' one of the Faberg? Eggs, was sold to an anonymous bidder.

Russian Imperial Treasure 'Faberg? Egg' Sold at Auction for Record High Price of 44.3 Billion KRW. Photo by AFP Yonhap News.

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According to reports, the previous highest auction price for a Faberg? Egg was 8.9 million pounds (about 17.3 billion KRW) recorded in 2007. The Faberg? Eggs are jeweled artworks commissioned by Nicholas II, the last emperor of Imperial Russia, from master jeweler Gustav Faberg? as Easter gifts for the imperial family.

They are known to have been produced from 1885 to 1917. Since Nicholas II commissioned a new piece immediately after each egg was completed and delivered to his family, only 50 were ever made.

The BBC reported, "Currently, only seven Faberg? Eggs are privately owned, including the Winter Egg. The rest have either disappeared or are kept in institutions and museums."

The Winter Egg was created in 1913 as a gift for Nicholas II's mother. It is a small jeweled artwork, about 8.2 cm in height. It is carved from rock crystal, and the surface features snowflakes represented by over 4,500 diamonds and other gems. When the Winter Egg is opened, it reveals a small basket of flowers crafted from white quartz, garnet, and other materials inside.

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