The worlds of automotive excellence and precious jewellery came together in Qatar when the Rolls-Royce-inspired ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg, was displayed in the capital, Doha, this month.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha and Alfardan Automobiles welcomed the exquisite ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg to the Rolls-Royce showroom on The Pearl, Doha. The Egg was on show from March 17th to 21st.
A unique one-off creation, the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg combined the creative luxuries of the world’s most famous and desirable automotive marque with one of the most iconic and rare jewelled ornaments.
Rolls-Royce customers, VIP guests, and members of the media viewed the Egg, which was presented alongside a stunning collection of Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collection motor cars.
Only the second ‘Imperial Class’ Fabergé Egg to be commissioned since 1917, the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ features the enigmatic figurine that has adorned Rolls-Royce motor cars since 1911 cocooned within an exquisite and contemporary, bejewelled egg.
Created in response to the demands of Rolls-Royce patrons who search for unique and cherished objects, the Egg was imagined, designed and crafted by Rolls-Royce’s team of Bespoke artisans alongside expert jewellers from Fabergé.
The Egg rests on an engine-turned, hand-engraved, purple enamel guilloché base of 18 karat white gold. Arms of rose gold define the shape of the egg, acting as a protective chamber for the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ inside.
Upon operating the movement via a discreet lever at the base of the stand, the boughs open to present the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ figurine, hand-sculpted in frosted rock crystal.
Rose gold vanes, embellished with nearly 10 carats of round white diamonds, resolve into swathes of natural amethyst weighing over 390 carats, 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 Fabergé’s heritage.
Design cues from Fabergé’s heritage are masterfully woven into the intricate design, which stands at 160mm and weighs just 400g, with the Egg harnessing the ‘surprise and delight’ for which Imperial Eggs are celebrated.
Fifty Imperial Fabergé eggs were created for the Russian Royal family between 1885 and 1916. These are inextricably linked to the lives of the Romanov family.
Tsar Nicholas II was also a patron of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, which cements the historic and enduring links between the Fabergé and Rolls-Royce houses of luxury.
