By William Stolerman

Viktor Vekselberg has spent his lifetime collecting Russia’s greatest treasures and now the Russian billionaire is to exhibit his collection of Faberge eggs in the Vatican.

Pyotr Karlovich Faberge made 52 eggs for Russia’s Imperial family, and beginning on April 14, a selection of these prized pieces will go on display at the Holy See Museum. The exhibition is an exceptionally rare opportunity to see the eggs in person.

Vekselberg purchased his Faberge eggs as a part of an entire collection from the Forbes family in 2004 – a collection which included nine Imperial Easter eggs and another 190 items, including brooches, inkwells and smoking accessories. He said he paid over $90 million for the collection.

The exhibition in the Vatican will comprise 180 works of art and took Vekselberg over a year to organise.

Via [luxist]

www.vatican.va