The majority of the Fabergé eggs, which were created for the Romanov dynasty during their final few decades as Russian monarchs, are certainly well-known to you even if you are unfamiliar with the name of the Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé. These Easter eggs, like most things connected to the Romanovs, were extravagantly lavish and expertly made, including complex bases, hidden goodies, and beautiful diamond patterns. These days, a single egg is valued at almost $33 million.
But Fabergé produced more than just eggs. His other designs, which include miniature crystal vases filled with fruits and flowers, are also much sought for. However, one surprising subject sticks out among all of his delicate, elaborate work: a potato with a realistic, asymmetrical shape that is slightly under 4 inches long. The pink agate Fabergé potato, which dates back to approximately 1890, is a polished box with a fleur-de-lis clasp and a gold-mounted lid. Although it’s one of his less well-known pieces, it has the hallmark of Russian jeweler Michael Perkhin, the skilled goldsmith Fabergé employed at the time to make his eggs. Anything Fabergé is highly prized, be it a simple spud or an enameled egg with a tiny, flawless gold reproduction of a palace inside. In fact, the potato box brought $93,750 when it was auctioned by Christie’s auction house in 2016.
