Fabergé today announced the buyer of the Pearl Egg as Mr Hussain Al-Fardan, Chairman of the Alfardan Group and founding Director of Investcorp, and also one of the most renowned natural pearl collectors in the world. The Al- Fardan family of Qatar is one of the oldest and most successful traditional pearl merchants in the Gulf. Born in 1933, Hussain Ibrahim Al-Fardan perpetuated the family legacy, and opened Alfardan Jewellery in Doha in 1954, now the exclusive retailer for Fabergé in Qatar. The Pearl Egg is exclusively on show at the Fabergé booth in Baselworld until 26th March 2015 before it returns to its new owner in Doha.

The Fabergé Pearl Egg draws inspiration from the formation of a pearl within an oyster, and the egg’s painstakingly-crafted mother-of-pearl exterior opens to reveal a unique grey pearl of 12.17 carats, sourced from the Arabian Gulf and exhibiting exceptional purity and a highly unusual shade of grey. This creation exemplifies the signature art of layering which Fabergé is known for, harmoniously blending yellow and white gold to highlight the natural golden lustre of the pearls.

Harnessing 20 highly skilled workmasters, the objet embodies 139 fine, golden pearls with a golden lustre, 3,305 diamonds, carved rock crystal and mother-of-pearl set on white and yellow gold. An ingenious mechanism enables the entire outer shell to rotate on its base, simultaneously opening in six sections to unveil its treasure.

Hussain Ibrahim Al-Fardan, Chairman of the Alfardan Group, commented: 

“Fabergé Eggs are some of the most iconic and precious treasures in the world. I have a passion for pearls and the Fabergé Pearl Egg is a pearl masterpiece. I am delighted to have acquired this extraordinary creation to add to my collection."

Robert Benvenuto, Fabergé President, said:

“We are delighted to be sharing this historic moment with our esteemed partner and my personal friend Mr Hussain Al-Fardan. The Fabergé Pearl Egg is the first and long-awaited creation to be unveiled in our precious objet d'art category and I am thrilled that it is now part of such a prestigious private collection."

THE LEGEND OF FABERGE EGGS

Fabergé was founded in 1842 and won worldwide acclaim for its artistry in creating objets d’art, jewellery and timepieces. The Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs, commissioned by the Russian Imperial Family, are almost universally recognised as the greatest masterpieces of the jeweller's art. Peter Carl Fabergé worked with highly skilled workmasters and craftsmen, seeking out precious gemstones with charisma and achieving perfection in every detail from enamelling to gem-setting.

The most expensive piece made by Peter Carl Fabergé was a pearl sautoir, gifted by Tsar Alexander III and Empress Maria Fedorovna to Princess Alix of Hesse on her engagement to Tsar Nicholas. Made of natural pearls, it cost 250,000 roubles at the time, or more than US$30 million today.