Fabergé's rare gem: Alma Pihl | V&A

The story of Alma Pihl is an unusual one. There were very few women in the goldsmith workshops in St Petersburg in the early 1900s, let alone in the position of designer. Alma's natural talent for drawing and unique eye for design resulted in some of Fabergé's most celebrated pieces of jewellery and two Imperial Easter Eggs.
Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm - great-granddaughter of St Petersburg goldsmith Alexander Tillander, a supplier to the Russian imperial court - has spent many years studying the art of the St Petersburg jewellers and recounts Alma's incredible story in this film.
Find out more about our exhibition Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution: www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/fab...
Read more in our book: www.vam.ac.uk/shop/exhibition...

Пікірлер: 244

  • @brentonjoseph
    @brentonjoseph2 жыл бұрын

    I love how even their non-asmr videos are very asmr-adjacent. 😌

  • @voraciousreader3341

    @voraciousreader3341

    2 ай бұрын

    as Mr is purely imaginary.

  • @HollyOllyOxenfree-
    @HollyOllyOxenfree- Жыл бұрын

    My husband's grandmother was from Russia. She met her husband who was in the American Army and moved to America and had a family. I remember her saying her Father was an assistant in the Faberge workshop. She spoke as if he was assistant to the Tzar himself! The esteem in which this shop is STILL held speaks to the quality , craftsmanship and CREATIVITY of its artisans.

  • @jodiejohnson2408

    @jodiejohnson2408

    Жыл бұрын

    How interesting, thank you for sharing your story. It is a source of pride to be a part of creating beauty!🙂❤

  • @henrylivingstone2971

    @henrylivingstone2971

    3 ай бұрын

    I mean….it’s not impossible. Faberge had hundreds of assistants in his various workshops

  • @arenazona1017
    @arenazona10172 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic story! You can even tell the emotions in the presenter. She seems genuinely proud of Alma and excited for Alma’s work and history. Thank you for this!

  • @Rye_Toast
    @Rye_Toast2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for telling her story! Wow, could you imagine realizing she was your art teacher? I bet she inspired many students.

  • @emilyblack7342
    @emilyblack73422 жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful artist she was! The winter egg was always my favourite egg, it’s beautifully designed and even though it’s simple, it outshines all of the other imperial eggs. It’s just timeless.

  • @emilyblack7342

    @emilyblack7342

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@buukaczi You think I don’t know that? I watch these videos because I want an escape from the injustices of our current world, but that doesn’t mean I’m ignorant. Honestly, it’s condescending of you to assume that appreciating a trained artist’s talents means that I am unaware of the societal inequities that brought her work into existence, especially within *the House of Faberge* in *Imperial Russia.* Give it a break.

  • @emilyblack7342

    @emilyblack7342

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@buukaczi and how presumptuous of you to expect ideological purity in an imperfect world. There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. If anyone is the arrogant one here, it’s you.

  • @cmsoocrufkmnsclady6369

    @cmsoocrufkmnsclady6369

    Жыл бұрын

    @@emilyblack7342 WAAAAAH It's a video Geez

  • @MrRuperty
    @MrRuperty2 жыл бұрын

    The first time i have seen these objects maked me cry. It's not about the material. The work and the inspiration they put in it ( every peace, can you imigane ? ). WOW. Sorry about my bad english.

  • @sjain8111

    @sjain8111

    2 жыл бұрын

    English not so bad

  • @vangu2918

    @vangu2918

    Жыл бұрын

    Your thoughts are very well expressed.

  • @gaylagriffin2533

    @gaylagriffin2533

    Жыл бұрын

    Perfect English.

  • @TheLuckyjoenga

    @TheLuckyjoenga

    Жыл бұрын

    I completely what you're saying. If you took a Fabergé object and took it apart for scrap you might have $300 to $400 worth of material. But by the magic of Fabrege and his artisans they could take that material and make something priceless.

  • @bethanywilhelm4451

    @bethanywilhelm4451

    Жыл бұрын

    You are just fine. Your English is just great. You came across perfect in the way these majestic items make you feel. They are spectacular!😃

  • @ajelly00
    @ajelly00 Жыл бұрын

    It is so comforting to hear someone say “she was only 23 years old” as someone who is turning 23 in a few weeks, just graduated a few months ago, trying to figure out how to have a career and not just a job I hate. It’s nice to remember the bad moments aren’t forever

  • @alleycat2502
    @alleycat2502 Жыл бұрын

    She really WAS talented. You can tell she idolized the winter season. How the snow fell, the delicate nature of a snowflake, the frozen brilliance of the cold. I’m betting she saw it everywhere, in her memories and dreams

  • @Terri_MacKay
    @Terri_MacKay2 жыл бұрын

    What an incredibly talented woman, and how wonderful of her to choose teaching as a way to pass that talent on to a new generation. Both of Alma's eggs are so different from each other, and yet both are absolutely beautiful. The Winter Egg is so ethereal and delicate, and the Mosaic Egg is a visual feast. It's a shame that colour photography wasn't available for the portrait of Alma at 10:07. That dress looks so elegant and regal...I wonder what colour it was. (For some reason I'm imagining a dark green.) It must have been stunning in person.

  • @cayenigma

    @cayenigma

    2 жыл бұрын

    I also imagined it being green :)

  • @annemchurchwell

    @annemchurchwell

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm thinking like a Teal actually.

  • @Terri_MacKay

    @Terri_MacKay

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@annemchurchwell That would be beautiful too. Even in a black and white photo, the material looks so gorgeous and sumptuous.

  • @melaniekelley2410

    @melaniekelley2410

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think maybe a dark blue. However, green is gorgeous

  • @OddLeah
    @OddLeah2 жыл бұрын

    I've seen books about Faberge before, but I do not remember seeing Alma's works featured. That winter egg is staggeringly beautiful.

  • @nuinmarnuinmar5321
    @nuinmarnuinmar53212 жыл бұрын

    I visited the exhibition today (Wed 24 Nov 2021) and the items are even more beautiful in real life - just breath taking.

  • @follyjolly7833

    @follyjolly7833

    2 жыл бұрын

    How fortunate 😍

  • @tothelighthouse9843
    @tothelighthouse98432 жыл бұрын

    6:13 Astonishingly beautiful. I'm in Canada--we're just now skidding across the ice into winter & the brooch design of the window frost looks exactly as my livingroom window will look by late January. The tendrils & filaments of frost are so precious & fragile in nature, & it's extraordinary to see them copied so precisely by Alma. A wonderful glimpse into the work of this artist, & Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm's admiration & respect for Alma shines out from this video. Thank you so much for telling us about Alma Pihl & sharing her work.

  • @franm.8343
    @franm.8343 Жыл бұрын

    I attended the Faberge Exhibition at the V&A Museum in March 2022 and both of the eggs were on display. What a treat it was to see the beautiful eggs, especially the two discussed in this video. The craftsmanship of the Tapestry Egg is outstanding, and the simplicity and beauty of the Winter Egg is wonderful. I was also impressed by the exquisite simplicity and craftsmanship of the little flowers in crystal vases. I thoughly enjoyed the exhibition after travelling down from Manchester to attend.

  • @allenpinnix5241
    @allenpinnix52412 жыл бұрын

    Such a lovely, wonderful presentation! I agree with the title-- Alma Pihl was indeed a rare gem-- but I also think Madame Tillander-Godenhielm is a rare gem as well! Many, many thanks!

  • @susanlangley4294

    @susanlangley4294

    Жыл бұрын

    Well said!

  • @sarahcox9284

    @sarahcox9284

    Жыл бұрын

    Completely agree.

  • @mariavaz9202
    @mariavaz92022 жыл бұрын

    Alma was blessed with very special talent to create such wonderful, extraordinary art. I'm sure she blessed all the art student's lives she touched as their teacher.

  • @mariavaz9202

    @mariavaz9202

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@buukaczi Alma was from Faberge's jewelry work master's family.

  • @mariavaz9202

    @mariavaz9202

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@buukaczi I am not repeating your statement. You said she was "born in world famous jewellers family." I said she was from Faberge's jewelry work master's family. I think she was special, if you don't think so that's fine. I don't want to argue with you mam.

  • @elizabethkujawinski3240
    @elizabethkujawinski3240 Жыл бұрын

    Alma was a whole gem herself. So young with talent that it's not hard to believe a young person could only be a wife in those days. Most women of that era were only young brides staying at home and having children. Never heard of her until today, just don't understand why Alma was never spoken up before.? Thank you for this great vedio.

  • @patsmith5947
    @patsmith59472 жыл бұрын

    The egg and the snowflakes are just gorgeous.

  • @eringemini7091
    @eringemini7091 Жыл бұрын

    The ice pendant was especially extraordinary. 👌

  • @BuriedTeeth
    @BuriedTeeth2 жыл бұрын

    Also, please get this woman in more videos, her speaking is amazing!

  • @laurenmary9296
    @laurenmary92962 жыл бұрын

    This story is so exceptional and touching. I love the work of Fabergé, and her designs, specifically, are so glorious.

  • @lauragregory9436
    @lauragregory94362 жыл бұрын

    Her work is phenomenal and are truly stunning masterpieces! I was never good at sculpture or drafting designs during my art studies so her talent and work ethic really make me awestruck. I wish I could fight through and create works when I have a moment of inspiration. This has given me some feeling of hope to pull myself up by bootstraps and work! Thankyou for sharing her story.

  • @susanhepburn6040
    @susanhepburn60402 жыл бұрын

    What beautiful work! Thank you very much for posting this. Alma Pihl well deserves for her work to be much more widely known.

  • @MEMORIA1316
    @MEMORIA1316 Жыл бұрын

    Her pieces were stunning. Even the sample mosaic was absolutely beautiful 🦋

  • @IsaDesOsiers
    @IsaDesOsiers2 жыл бұрын

    I love this little Victoria and Albert Museum video! Here we are reclaiming some of Women's History and also filling our eyes and spirits with beauty. Wonderful!

  • @heyokaikaggen6288
    @heyokaikaggen62882 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so very much for this. I had heard part of the hoarfrost story before but didn't know it's origins. And Alma, designer of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of the Imperial Eggs, what an extraordinary talent.

  • @katgrey6239
    @katgrey6239 Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful story about Alma's life! I love the antique look of jewelry. It is purely fascinating to know how her designs came into being actual pieces of history!!

  • @pfreeman2732
    @pfreeman27322 жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful piece of history you've shared with us. A truly lovely story. All fact and nobody can dispute it! Wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. UK

  • @deborahdanhauer8525
    @deborahdanhauer85252 жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful story and what an astoundingly talented woman. I am so happy that she was able to work in the art world when so many great women artists were denied an outlet. Thank you 🐝🤗❤️

  • @arckocsog253
    @arckocsog2532 жыл бұрын

    It’s so beautiful, like from a fairytale

  • @wonderwend1
    @wonderwend12 жыл бұрын

    What an amazing story. So wonderful to see the documentation of a piece and see it next to it

  • @alisonmary1443
    @alisonmary14432 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful story, the work is breath taking, petite pois brooch is simply gorgeous. Thank you

  • @RC-zm7hz

    @RC-zm7hz

    Жыл бұрын

    Give peas a chance! Spellcheck at work I suppose.

  • @alisonmary1443

    @alisonmary1443

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RC-zm7hz lol 😂 is work really that boring

  • @juliancoulden1753
    @juliancoulden17532 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this wonderful vignette. What an extraordinary woman alma was.

  • @beastephenson7970
    @beastephenson7970 Жыл бұрын

    Alma's Faberges egg is quite the most beautiful object made by a person that I have ever seen. It just took my breath away how stunning beautiful it is, I can only imagine what seeing the real thing must be like

  • @melvillehayes6305
    @melvillehayes63052 жыл бұрын

    Wondeful research, and illuminating our knowledge of the Faberge workshop !

  • @kevdimo6459
    @kevdimo6459 Жыл бұрын

    It’s amazing how much we can learn from KZread stories such as this. Hers is a story that could or should be made into a movie. Thanks for showing it.

  • @Sally-nse2
    @Sally-nse2 Жыл бұрын

    Farberge ‘s artists and their works, are amongst some of the finest, most beautiful and wonderful in the world of jewels and goldsmithing ever seen. Imho

  • @johnellis7445
    @johnellis74452 жыл бұрын

    Wow ,thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful story. Alma must have been a power house of a woman and years ahead of her time .She has left us beauty in her work for future generations to admire. Rest in peace.

  • @BuriedTeeth
    @BuriedTeeth2 жыл бұрын

    I wish I could watch this video for the first time all over again, what a fascinating story!

  • @amandashelton1162
    @amandashelton1162 Жыл бұрын

    Alma was a muse. She inspired people with her creativity. She was a rare person.

  • @joshprado4353
    @joshprado4353 Жыл бұрын

    Little history gems like these are absolutely amazing. To get to know the faces of the craftsman/women.

  • @Kaalokalawaia
    @Kaalokalawaia2 жыл бұрын

    What a great story. Love the history behind this. Thank you for sharing.

  • @shelleyharris165
    @shelleyharris165 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing this again. So wonderful to hear the story, done and spoke well. Blessings 🙏😇✌️🕊️💝😊🌎🙌✝️☮️💪

  • @pauloroarty1799
    @pauloroarty17992 жыл бұрын

    What a Charming Lady to listen to and I thoroughly enjoyed your Story.Thank you

  • @user-ke8st8jc1v
    @user-ke8st8jc1v2 жыл бұрын

    Breathtaking!!! Thank God we are able to see and admire these masterpieces.

  • @supernova7848
    @supernova78482 жыл бұрын

    What an amazing piece of history. Thanks for sharing!

  • @hensonlaura
    @hensonlaura2 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful to see, elegantly presented, thank you.

  • @McChrister
    @McChrister2 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating story! Thank you for sharing….The Faberge designs are truly legendary and out of this world beautiful(and unaffordable🤑) ♥️👋🏼🇨🇦

  • @judylamar6752
    @judylamar67522 жыл бұрын

    Marvelous story. Thank you!

  • @shirleykathan-sayess5764
    @shirleykathan-sayess5764 Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating! So beautiful, and the 1st Easter egg is stunning! Thank you. ❤ Shirley

  • @morrisdancer11
    @morrisdancer11 Жыл бұрын

    This amazing video made me quite tearful. The story was great given the times etc. but the 1913 egg is so stunning and beautiful I have never seen anything like it. I am aged 81 and was born in Ashton-under-Lyne Lancashire (A working class cotton town). Although I have done many types of craft, Art, creativity I can only imagine what inspiration I might have gleaned from seeing and experiencing such beauty. ; I have never even owned a precious gem. Thank You so much.

  • @craftinghome
    @craftinghome Жыл бұрын

    Her work was stunning and gave me goosebumps...

  • @mayaia5990
    @mayaia59902 жыл бұрын

    This video is soo lovely! I have always adored the eggs and hearing Alma's story was wonderful

  • @susanwills4723
    @susanwills4723 Жыл бұрын

    The snow ❄️ are truely gorgeous what fascinating designs. They are truly beautiful. What an amazing lady Alma was. Thank you for sharing this video I love 💕 it

  • @Nanou197373
    @Nanou1973732 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for sharing your story, these pieces are extremely beautiful. What a wonderful woman Alma was :)

  • @holdyourhorses9842
    @holdyourhorses9842 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Ms. Ulla, for this fine presentation.

  • @artofescapism
    @artofescapism Жыл бұрын

    Great to learn about this fascinating person! The works she designed are so beautiful- the artistry and care put into them is breathtaking!

  • @englishrose4388
    @englishrose43882 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this clip. Such an incredible history. And what a shame that she wasn't able to carry her work on.

  • @chuxmix65
    @chuxmix652 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing her story!

  • @shirleyoldfield7200
    @shirleyoldfield72002 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much. What a wonderful way to start a wintery day in Canada. Quelle beauté!

  • @arealhauntedhouse4171
    @arealhauntedhouse4171 Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely phenomenal craftsmanship!🌟

  • @updownstate
    @updownstate Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video. This is information I never knew. I saw an exhibit of Faberge eggs and every one you could look at all day. So exquisite, detailed, colorful, and not at all static. They change with the light. I was surprised that almost all are accounted for, given the uproar of the 20th century. If you get the chance to see even one, stand on line all day if you have to.

  • @nalayini1504
    @nalayini15048 ай бұрын

    Stunning pieces I'm blown away, so glad to be able to see Alma's design 💕

  • @astridmccorkle1015
    @astridmccorkle10152 жыл бұрын

    An amazing story. Thank you.

  • @carolinebesinger8611
    @carolinebesinger8611 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you, so very informative I have not seen a lot of these pieces truly amazing. ❤️ thanks for telling us about her both of you brilliant ladies.

  • @londonhodnet4079
    @londonhodnet40792 жыл бұрын

    Inspiring exhibition, thank you

  • @judyderieux8484
    @judyderieux8484 Жыл бұрын

    How wonderful and special of a person. Thank - you for this lovely information✨

  • @MrFersitos
    @MrFersitos Жыл бұрын

    Just...lovely!! Thankyou so much!!♥️♥️♥️

  • @silvergirl7810
    @silvergirl78102 жыл бұрын

    My mom collected eggs and loved this info so much- she would have loved this video- thank you for sharing ❤️

  • @Pooty_With_A_Fat_Booty
    @Pooty_With_A_Fat_Booty Жыл бұрын

    I'm not one for jewelry. But that piece in the thumbnail is to die for. My heart melted. ❤

  • @donaldauguston9740
    @donaldauguston97402 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for posting this obscure but fascinating bit of history. DA

  • @rogerlloyd1897
    @rogerlloyd18972 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely stunning 😍

  • @sharonrousseau3527
    @sharonrousseau35273 ай бұрын

    Oh my gosh how fascinating. I’m not a huge fan of Faberge but certainly appreciate the brilliance of the creations. She’s a “hidden woman” in history.

  • @shelleyauld3514
    @shelleyauld35142 жыл бұрын

    WOW, thank you for sharing

  • @twilfits
    @twilfits Жыл бұрын

    That was splendid much appreciated!

  • @luisaparodi8571
    @luisaparodi85712 жыл бұрын

    Amazing 💗 thanks for sharing

  • @jeanhawken4482
    @jeanhawken44822 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant woman. So talented

  • @yoopermann7942
    @yoopermann79422 жыл бұрын

    i have known about ALMA from an elderly couple from SWEDEN i just didnt know her connection to FABERGE ,, man that must have been exciting for her to work in such an important shop! thank you for this bit of information,, do you know if she had done any more pieces or did she ust continue as an art teacher?

  • @dtulip1
    @dtulip1 Жыл бұрын

    What an absolutely brilliant addition to KZread, fantastic story

  • @silverfoxpin
    @silverfoxpin2 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely fascinating!!

  • @kathya1321
    @kathya1321 Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting. Such stunning works. Thank you - !

  • @DianeKovacs
    @DianeKovacs Жыл бұрын

    Loveliness! I would treasure and wear any of her designs!

  • @Backwardlooking
    @Backwardlooking10 ай бұрын

    Fantastic. What a tragedy that she couldn’t continue her outstanding work.

  • @Dakiniwoman
    @Dakiniwoman Жыл бұрын

    I found this very interesting... thank you for telling this story of a beautiful and talented woman.

  • @debrasmith4675
    @debrasmith4675 Жыл бұрын

    Lovely presentation!

  • @charlotteillustration5778
    @charlotteillustration57782 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating. Thank you!

  • @mcatherinew4779
    @mcatherinew47792 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely awe inspiring!

  • @reinadegrillos
    @reinadegrillos2 жыл бұрын

    Muy interesante. Hermosos trabajos de arte para los más privilegiados.

  • @Du-Masses
    @Du-Masses Жыл бұрын

    That winter egg was so stunning! I had a somatic reaction: goosebumps, mild teary eyes, and a bit of salivating. Art has only ever made me salivate once before when I saw the most glorious peach in a still-life, but these eggs are not for eating.

  • @ursulareeg1171
    @ursulareeg11712 жыл бұрын

    I've seen the mosaic egg in San Diego and many others. What a joy!

  • @MSYNGWIE12
    @MSYNGWIE122 жыл бұрын

    To see her sketch books! I will close my eyes now and dream of my favorite season, winter, my beloved snow flakes and ice crystals, "ice flowers" in an entirely unique way-

  • @Joe___R
    @Joe___R4 ай бұрын

    That Easter egg of 1913 is stunningly beautiful.

  • @dnitagill7
    @dnitagill7 Жыл бұрын

    Creativity knows no bounds spectacular Art ! 💜

  • @navajoauckland6003
    @navajoauckland60032 жыл бұрын

    Magnifique!!!

  • @teresarettkowski8436
    @teresarettkowski8436 Жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed this interesting story. Thank you.

  • @rupertprawnworthy758
    @rupertprawnworthy7582 жыл бұрын

    Excellent presentation

  • @ESP-ionage
    @ESP-ionage2 жыл бұрын

    I truly appreciate your insight

  • @Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum
    @Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum Жыл бұрын

    These are so stunning. ❤

  • @claraallen12
    @claraallen122 жыл бұрын

    good story telling!

  • @lancemillward1912
    @lancemillward19122 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful story

  • @oneshotme
    @oneshotme2 жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed the video and I gave it a Thumbs Up