INSPIRING WORK Peter Carl Faberge's primary source of inspiration came from works of previous centuries. Translucent enameling was a valued technique in the 19th century that required several coats of applied enamel, but only a few colours were available then. So Faberge experimented and soon came up with over 140 shades.
He used silver, gold, copper, nickel, palladium -- among other things -- to create his invaluable eggs.
Faberge 'Kelch Chanticleer egg' on display at an exhibition in the Kremlin.
Photo: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images