Valamar Blog

Video surveillance, laser beams, heavily armed people in uniforms or, in two words… general chaos! That is how one can describe, in short, the scenes you could have witnessed ten days ago on the streets of the usually quiet, picturesque Mediterranean town of Dubrovnik (Croatia). The reason for all that was setting up of the currently most expensive exhibition in Europe.

A slightly unusual prelude of the story, on 30 September, indicated that something significant and exciting was about to happen there, a sign that a cult collection of Peter Carl Faberge (1846-1920) was reaching its destination and that the exhibition “Treasures of Imperial Russia” could be opened. Of course, the message is clear – those who have something other than watching on their minds, have no business near the Rector’s Palace where the exhibition is set up

A Russian multibillionaire, Viktor Vekselberg, is displaying about a hundred exhibits from his collection, the climax being nine Imperial Easter eggs. The exact value of the exhibits is unknown, but the figure, discussed off the record, amounts to $150 million. As already reported in numerous media, this exhibition is currently the most significant jewellery exhibition set up in Europe.

Vekselberg, who is also the president of “The link of times” Foundation, bought off Russian treasures crafted in the famous jewellery workshop by Peter Carl Faberge (1846-1920) in 2004, from an American media magnate Malcolm Forbes. Vekselberg became the owner of nine out of the total of 42 preserved Imperial eggs made in the House of Faberge.

Financial and artistic value of the collection aside, it is its historic value that is definitely very interesting, as well as the context of its origination. It was created during Imperial Russia, at the turn of the 19th to 20th century, and according to the range and diversity of the exhibits, many of which belonged to the Imperial Russian family and families of other European rulers, it is unique in the world. Nine Imperial Easter eggs, exhibited in Dubrovnik, crafted in gold and enclosed in diamonds, precious stones, and pearls, or ornamented by miniatures in watercolour, were gifts by the members of imperial families of Alexander III and Nikolai II to their wives.

“This exhibition has never been set up in the same line-up as in Dubrovnik” - said Tatyana Muntyan, the curator of the exhibition. It is also interesting that the exhibition, reserved up to three years in advance by great museums in world’s capitals, reached Dubrovnik against all protocols specifically by a great desire of the collection’s owner who regularly comes to Dubrovnik for his summer vacation with his family. So Vekselberg decided, in a way, to present a gift to the people of Dubrovnik, who are admitted to the exhibition free of charge.

The exhibition will be set up until 11 November, so for another month everyone who wants to see the famous Faberge collection in person has a chance to head towards Croatia and Dubrovnik.

More information on exibition can be found on: http://www.fabergeindubrovnik.com/, and info about culture, tourism and accommodation in Dubrovnik on: http://www.valamar.com/croatia/dubrovnik/

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