A Fabergé egg found at a flea market by a scrap-metal dealer who initially didn’t realize the value of what he had discovered will be on public view for the first time in more than a century, according to a British art and antiques dealer.
The egg, thought to have been made in the late 19th century for Russian royalty, was purchased years ago at a U.S. flea market for just $14,000, said the antiques dealer, Wartski. The buyer was interested in the item for its gold content but later suspected the piece might be even more valuable. The egg was later sold to a private collector.
The identities of the buyer and seller haven’t been revealed. Wartski didn’t disclose how much was paid for the egg, but some estimates put its value as high as $33 million. It will be on display at Wartski in London from April 14 to 17.
The Antiques Dealer said…(read more)