Easter 2024 sees the Fabergé x 007 partnership enter a new chapter, following the initial announcement in 2022 that revealed the forthcoming one-of-a-kind Fabergé x 007 Egg Objet
The first in a series, each collection will take inspiration from a James Bond film. It was perfectly fitting that the debut collection takes inspiration from the iconic Octopussy (1983), which featured a plot line centred around an elaborate Fabergé egg heist.
Fabergé and James Bond reveal the first in a series of jewellery and objet collections celebrating the 007 archives. Available to purchase and pre-order from March 25, 2024, the debut Fabergé x 007 capsule collection is inspired by the iconic James Bond film Octopussy (1983) and includes a hand-crafted limited-edition egg objet, and special edition egg surprise locket. This unique collection is set to delight both admirers and collectors of Fabergé and James Bond.
The first pieces to be revealed in the Fabergé x 007 Octopussy collection are the Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet and Fabergé x 007 Special Edition Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket. Designed by Fabergé head of Design, Liisa Tallgren, and overseen by Fabergé creative director, Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, the design of these pieces is a symphony of past, present and future, with nods to the legendary Octopussy film.
“Whilst work is continuing on the development of a large-scale one-of-a-kind Fabergé x 007 Egg Objet, we’re very proud to be unveiling this Octopussy capsule collection,” says Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, Fabergé creative director. “Continuing our special partnership with EON Productions and the James Bond franchise we decided the surprise inside this first capsule collection had to be an octopus, in dedication to the eponymous antagonist at the heart of the film. ‘Octopussy’ is a powerful businesswoman and jewel-smuggler who leads the all-female Octopus Cult, and her name derives from her favourite octopus, the Blue Ringed Octopus, which she keeps as a pet. The octopus surprise inside the Fabergé x 007 Egg Objet and Egg Surprise Locket encapsulates her strong character”.
The hand-crafted Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet is limited to just 50 numbered pieces and stands at 8.4cm tall, crafted from 18k yellow gold and hand-painted with a rich green enamel, carefully selected for its similarity to the enamel used on the Fabergé egg featured in the film Octopussy. A mesmerising pattern is visible underneath the lustrous enamel – a combination of Fabergé’s signature guilloché, accompanied by an intricate artwork of engraved octopus tentacles which mysteriously wrap around the egg. These tentacles feature minute detail, and provide a level of depth and intrigue to the piece. The application is a highly skilled technique which takes absolute precision and patience, and is so complex that one week’s work is reserved for this alone. The egg is mounted on a stand which is reminiscent of that featured on the Fabergé egg from the film, set with white diamonds and blue sapphires.
At the centre of the egg your eye is drawn into the gold 007 logo, which marks the point of entry into discovering the signature Fabergé surprise hidden within. The egg opens to reveal an 18k yellow gold octopus nestled inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes. The octopus surprise pays homage to the eponymous antagonist at the centre of the Octopussy film.
The very first Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet has taken seven months to be created, and the piece has been brought to life by the hands of 12 specialists, working across nine individual crafts including spinning, dye stamping, casting, goldsmithing, guilloché engraving, hand-engraving, enamelling, setting and polishing.
In true Fabergé style, the beautiful egg locket also offers a surprise – opening to reveal a miniature 18k gold octopus inside, capturing the spirit of the film’s namesake. The octopus has been set with two black diamond eyes.
Alongside the Fabergé x 007 Limited Edition Octopussy Egg Objet is the Fabergé x 007 Special Edition Octopussy Egg Surprise Locket. The exterior of the egg closely follows the design of the Fabergé egg featured in the film Octopussy, with a beautiful 18k gold lattice framework which is delicately set with blue sapphires and white diamonds in a floral-like design. The egg’s surface features a geometric guilloché engraved pattern, to juxtapose the more organic shape of the egg, and each piece has been decorated with green enamel to perfectly pair with the egg objet. Subtle nods are woven into the design, including the bail of the locket which takes its inspiration from the letter ‘O’ in the film’s title treatment.
Also see: Fabergé x Game of Thrones dragon-themed collection at K S Sze & Sons
