Think Easter eggs are just for kids and candy hunts? Think again. From priceless imperial treasures once owned by Russian royalty to an opulent 110-pound chocolate creation, these extraordinary eggs are in a class of their own. We’re talking miniature carriages, mechanical birds, precious gems, and enough gold to make the Easter Bunny reconsider his basket for a briefcase. Here’s a closer look at the most extravagant (and expensive) Easter eggs ever made.
1. Fabergé Third Imperial Easter Egg
Value: $33 million
This jaw-dropping masterpiece was created in 1887 by the legendary jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé for Tsar Alexander III. Crafted from 18-karat gold and adorned with diamonds and sapphires, this imperial egg conceals a delicate Vacheron Constantin watch inside. Once thought lost, it resurfaced in 2012 and was valued at a staggering $33 million.
2. Rothschild Fabergé Egg
Value: $11.9 million
Looking more like an heirloom timepiece than a holiday trinket, the Rothschild Clock Egg was commissioned in 1902 by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. Its pink enamel and gold detailing are topped with a diamond-studded mechanical rooster that crows and flaps on the hour. It’s Fabergé with a touch of cuckoo clock magic.
3. Imperial Coronation Egg
Estimated Value: $18–24 million
Created to commemorate Empress Alexandra’s coronation in 1896, this 1897 Fabergé egg features a radiant yellow enamel exterior over a laurel trellis pattern. Inside? A miniature replica of the royal carriage she rode in — complete with working suspension and diamond-studded wheels.
4. Winter Egg
Value: $7.2 million
An icy masterpiece from 1913, the Winter Egg was a gift from Tsar Nicholas II to his mother, Empress Maria Feodorovna. It mimics frozen crystal with its clear rock crystal shell and platinum frost design. The interior holds a delicate basket of anemones, crafted from quartz and gold — a true celebration of winter’s beauty.
5. Bay Tree Egg
Value: $15 million
Disguised as a bejeweled topiary, the Bay Tree Egg is both art and illusion. Made from nephrite, jadeite, and gold, the egg contains a hidden mechanism: turn the lever, and a jeweled songbird emerges, sings, flaps its wings, and returns inside. A luxurious take on a classic surprise.
6. ‘180’ Mini Fluted Limited‑Edition Egg by Fabergé
Value: $87,550
A modern twist on a historic legacy, this mini collectible is crafted from 18-karat rose gold and features sparkling Mozambican rubies. With its sleek Art Deco design, it’s a tribute to Fabergé’s timeless elegance — ideal for collectors looking to own a slice of history without shelling out millions.
7. Russian Gem-Set Cloisonné Enameled Egg
Value: $17,000
While not a Fabergé original, this decorative gem-set egg echoes imperial Russian style with detailed cloisonné enamel in shades of green, blue, and cream. Intricate and eye-catching, it’s a prized piece for serious collectors.
8. William Curley’s ‘Golden Speckled Egg’
Value: $11,107
Yes, even chocolate can be luxury. This 110-pound edible wonder by master chocolatier William Curley holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive non-jeweled chocolate egg sold at auction. Crafted with Venezuelan Amedei chocolate, edible gold leaf, couture truffles, and mini eggs, it took three days and seven chocolatiers to complete.
Final Thoughts
From royal keepsakes to record-breaking chocolate, these eggs prove that Easter can be about far more than candy and coloring kits. Whether encrusted with jewels or crafted from the finest cocoa, these creations are the ultimate symbol of luxury, tradition, and artistic excellence.
