More than 230 rare and storied treasures created by the House of Fabergé will be celebrated in a new exhibition at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Fabergé: Jeweler to the Tsars will be on view from June 20 through September 27, 2015. The exhibition, drawn from the Collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, will showcase Peter Carl Fabergé’s fine craftsmanship in pieces of jewelry and adornments once belonging to the Russian Imperial family.
From dazzling Imperial Easter eggs to delicate flower ornaments and from enchanting animal sculptures to cigarette cases, photograph frames and desk clocks, Fabergé often turned the most mundane objects into miniature works of art. The vast majority of his designs were never repeated, and most pieces were made entirely by hand. The success of his business was inextricably linked to the patronage of the Romanov dynasty and the close ties among the British, Danish and Russian royal families, who often exchanged works by Fabergé as personal gifts.
The Imperial Tsesarevich Easter Egg of 1912, which will be on view at OKCMOA, was a gift to Empress Alexandra from her husband, Emperor Nicholas II. The egg commemorates their son, Alexsei, who nearly died the previous year of hemophilia. For the shell, craftsmen joined six wedges of highly prized lapis lazuli and hid the seams with an elaborate gold filigree encasement. Inside the egg, a diamond encrusted Romanov family crest frames a two-sided portrait of the young child.
These objects were associated with refinement and luxury because the House of Fabergé was known for accepting nothing less than perfection as well as for being business savvy. Beyond the elegant showrooms in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, hundreds of the country’s finest goldsmiths, enamellers, stone carvers, gem cutters and jewelers were at work creating innovative and complex designs that could not be readily imitated.
Exhibition Related Programming
GALA OPENING
Wednesday, June 17
SUSTAINER’S PREVIEW – CURATOR TOUR
Dr. Geza von Habsburg, Thursday, June 18
Join Fabergé expert Dr. Geza von Habsburg as he leads an exclusive in-gallery tour of the exhibition.
MEMBER’S PREVIEW – LECTURE
Dr. Geza von Habsburg, Friday, June 19
An Introduction to Fabergé: Jeweler to the Tsars
FABERGÉ COFFEE AND LECTURE
Dr. Geza von Habsburg, Saturday, June 20
Fauxbergé: Forgeries in the World of Fabergé
GALLERY TALKS
Join OKCMOA Curators and Educators each Sunday of the Fabergé exhibition at 1 p.m. for in-gallery insights about the exhibition. Both adult and family tours are available. Click here for topics and presenter listings.
Free with admission.
MAKING MEMORIES
Tuesday, August 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 2-3:30 p.m.
Designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and their caregivers or loved ones.
Free
GROUP TOURS
Reservations required. Group rate available. Call (405) 278-8231 for pricing and availability.
FABERGÉ TOUR + WORKSHOPS BY REQUEST
Fabergé exhibition tour followed by an art project in the studio. Led by an OKCMOA Gallery Guide.
Available for youth and adult groups of at least twelve people.
Call (405) 278-8231 for pricing and availability. Space is limited.
FAMILY WORKSHOPS
Fabergé Eggs (Ages 15-36 months + adult; Ages 3-5 + adult), Saturday, June 20
Fabulous Fabergé Frames (Ages 6-10 + adult), Saturday, July 12
Pre-registration required
DROP-IN ART
Jeweled Boxes, Saturday, June 20. 1-4 p.m.
Mixed Media Egg Collage, Saturday, August 1, 1-4 p.m.
Free with admission
CAMPS
Jewelry of the Tsars (Ages 6-8), July 28-31
Eggs, Eggs, and More Eggs! (Ages 9-12), August 4-7
Pre-registration required.
Available Everyday (and free with admission)
Fabergé exhibition audio guide for adults.
Fabergé exhibition audio guide for kids.
Fabergé Design Studio where everyone in the family can—
- Design a Fabergé egg using draftsman’s tools and quality art materials
- Relax and read picture books and non-fiction materials inspired by the exhibition
- Investigate an historical map of Russia, the home of Fabergé
- Explore hands-on materials inspired by the objects on view
Exclusive Patron Gala Sponsor
Bank of Oklahoma
Exhibition Sponsors
The Imperial Family Sponsor
The Chickasaw Nation
Mrs. Jeaneen Naifeh, in memory of Robert Z. Naifeh
Nancy and George Records
Tsarina
Suzette and S. Kim Hatfield
Leslie and Clifford Hudson
Virginia W. and James C. Meade
The Merrick Foundation
Naifeh Fine Jewelry
OGE Energy Corporation
The Crown Prince
Anonymous, in honor of Leslie Hudson and Judy Love
Dobson Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Evans, II
Judy and Tom Love
Herman and LaDonna Meinders
Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors’ Bureau
Caroline and Guy Patton
The Payne Family
The Grand Duchess
Ann Simmons Alspaugh/Simmons Foundation
Anonymous
J. Edward Barth, in memory of Gene Barth
Bob Moore Maserati
Sharon and John R. Bozalis
Karen and Robert F. Browne
Mrs. Henry J. Freede
The Honorable Jerome A. Holmes
Penny and John A. McCaleb
Renate and Charles E. Wiggin
Mrs. Anne Workman and the late Dick Workman
The Dynasty
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore M. Elam
Bette Jo and Frank Hill
The Ann Lacy Foundation
Virginia A. Meade
Debbi and Frank Merrick
Progressive Parking Solutions LLC
Roshan Pujari
Tri-State Industrial Group
