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Peter Carl Fabergé, also known as Karl Gustavovich Fabergé, was a Russian jeweller best known for the famous Fabergé eggs made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials. In 1885, Fabergé was appointed jeweler and goldsmith to the Russian imperial court. The elaborate fanciful eggs that he created for members of the court, and the less expensive eggs that were crafted for the general market, remain Fabergé’s best-known creations. In all, 50 eggs were produced for the imperial family, and each included an element of surprise a tradition that began with the first egg, known as the Hen Egg, which Alexander III commissioned as a gift for his wife, Empress Maria Fyodorovna.In light of the Empress’ response to receiving one of Fabergé’s eggs on Easter, the Tsar soon commissioned the company to make an Easter egg as a gift for her every year thereafter. The Tsar placed an order for another egg the following year.