ROLLS ROYCE
Creating the “Spirit of Ecstacy” Faberge Egg
From kings and queens to entrepreneurs, many of the most prominent and wealthy collectors of the 20th and 21st century have been beguiled by the lure of a Faberge Egg. With just 50 pre-1917 Imperial Eggs completed, these exceptionally precious creations are some of the most valuable and coveted objects ever to have been made. Now, in a contemporary fashion, a new Faberge Egg has been created. Two of the world’s most esteemed houses of luxury have joined forces to create one unique objet d’art, for one discerning patron. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Faberge proudly announce the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Faberge Egg. For the first time in history, an iteration of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the enigmatic mascot that has adorned Rolls-Royce motorcars since 1911, is cocooned in an exquisite, contemporary, Faberge Egg. The commissioning of a Rolls-Royce motor car is often a seminal moment for the patron, so too is the commissioning of a Faberge Egg. Indeed, this ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Faberge Egg, the second to be commissioned in the ‘Imperial Class’ since 1917 – a category reserved only for Faberge’s most illustrious creations – celebrates the history, heritage and legend for which both Rolls-Royce and Faberge have been revered over more than a century. Both brands have navigated the vicissitudes of time and continue to produce the apogee of modern, highly sought after, true luxury items. The Egg is destined for the residence of a great collector of both brands. A team of seven craftspeople from Faberge undertook the challenge of fabricating the design using the finest materials married with their extraordinary skill as artist jewellers. The Egg rests on an engine-turned, hand-engraved, purple enamel guilloche base of 18-karat white gold. Arms of rose gold define the shape of the Egg, acting as a protective chamber for the Egg’s precious inhabitant. Upon operating the movement via a discreet lever at the base of the stand, a sense of theatre ensues as the boughs open to present the fine figurine of the Spirit of Ecstasy, hand-sculpted in frosted rock crystal, standing nobly in her opulent surrounds. The rose gold vanes, embellished with nearly 10 carats of round white diamonds, resolve into swathes of natural amethyst weighing over 390 carats, specially selected for its colour saturation and quality. The purple hue of the enamel and amethyst provide a playful nod to the use of colour found in Faberge’s heritage.