Ahead of The Art of Wonder, our evening at the Fabergé Boutique in London celebrating 180 years of Peter Carl Fabergé, we sat down with Sarah Fabergé for an interview. Sarah is Peter Carl Fabergé’s great-granddaughter and Director of Special Projects at Fabergé. We spoke about growing up with the Fabergé name, what makes an object worth passing down, and how a house with such a rich history continues to evolve.
What did growing up with the Fabergé name actually mean day to day?
I wasn’t really aware of our heritage until I was around ten years old. Even then, as a child, I didn’t fully appreciate what it meant. When I was sixteen, my father, Theo, took me to St Petersburg, then known as Leningrad, to help me understand our family’s past and see some of the spectacular treasures in the Hermitage. That made the history much more tangible for me.
What makes an object meaningful enough to be passed down through generations?
For me, lasting value comes from craftsmanship, originality and the meaning an object acquires over time. Fabergé’s history is closely connected with the Romanov family, but its appeal also lies in the extraordinary creativity and ingenuity of its makers.
Today, we continue to strive for the fine craftsmanship, creativity and innovation synonymous with my great-grandfather’s company. There is a story behind each piece, and our clients add another chapter through the occasions they celebrate and the collections they build and pass on.
“There is a story behind each piece, and our clients add another chapter through the occasions they celebrate and the collections they build and pass on.”
Where do you draw the line between protecting a heritage and letting it evolve?
That is the wonderful challenge. Our heritage gives us a rich foundation, and we create Fabergé jewels and objets d’art for today. Peter Carl Fabergé was an innovator, so remaining true to his spirit means continuing to explore new ideas.
We draw on the colours, techniques and signatures of the historical house and reinterpret them for contemporary life. For me, it is about evolving thoughtfully while retaining the imagination and surprise that make something unmistakably Fabergé.
What mistakes do families make when passing something important to the next generation?
Every family is different, so I would hesitate to generalise. In my own experience, kindness, patience and allowing the next generation to find their own relationship with the past are important.
How do you judge whether a partner is right for the brand?
For me, a good partner needs an appreciation of our heritage, a genuine enthusiasm for Fabergé and a sensitivity to the craftsmanship and creativity behind our pieces.
There also needs to be a shared understanding of how we want to represent the house. Some of that is difficult to put into words, but you recognise it when it is there.
What’s the best advice your father, Theo, gave you?
To be kind and not too judgemental. Be patient, because it takes time to get to know someone.
What do you want the Fabergé name to stand for in 50 years?
Quality, fine craftsmanship and truly personal service. I hope Fabergé will continue to create pieces that inspire wonder and become meaningful parts of our clients’ lives.
Those relationships are very important to us, and I would love that care to remain central to the house.
If you could own one piece, historic or modern, which would it be and why?
I am often asked this question, and it is really hard to answer. My great-grandfather’s company created an extraordinarily varied range of pieces, from the Imperial eggs to carved hardstone animals, picture frames, small egg pendants and flower studies. So I am going to cheat and name more than one!
If I could own an Imperial egg, it would be the Winter Egg. There is also an exquisite miniature tea service in the Royal Collection that I particularly admire. The craftsmanship is breathtaking.
From our contemporary collections, I love the Fabergé x 007 Octopussy Egg Objet and our Forever hardstone egg pendants with diamond bands.
Thank you to Sarah and the team at Fabergé for a wonderful evening. See the photos from The Art of Wonder on our event page.
Thank you to Sarah and the team at Fabergé for a wonderful evening. See the photos from The Art of Wonder on our event page.