Erik August Kollin

Erik August Kollin (1836–1901), Swedish-Finnish jeweller, goldsmith, silversmith. Hallmark: EK or Э.К. Trained in Ekenäs and moved to St Petersburg, where worked under August Wilhelm Holmström and was appointed head jeweller of Fabergé. Created the Hen Egg commissioned by Tsar Alexander III as an Easter present for Empress Maria Fyodorovna.
Born: 1836, Pohja (Finland)
Died: 1901, St Petersburg

Swedish-Finnish jeweller, goldsmith, silversmith. Hallmark: EK or ?.?. Born in the family of a Swedish labourer called Karl Gustaf Kollin and his wife Eva Kristina Zachrisdotter at Brödtorp manor in the municipality of Pohja (Pojo) in south-west Finland (1836). Trained as a goldsmith in the town of Tammisaari (Ekenäs) on the Gulf of Finland (1850s) and moved to St Petersburg (1858), where he qualified as a master (1868). Joined the workshop of August Wilhelm Holmström (1868) and replaced him as head jeweller of Carl Fabergé (1872–86). Influenced by the Ancient Greek, Roman and Scythian jewellery excavated at Kerch (1880s–90s). Worked on the most important Fabergé commissions (1872–98), including the first two Easter eggs commissioned by Tsar Alexander III as presents for Empress Maria Fyodorovna (1885–86) and the Terrestrial Globe (1896) purchased by Tsar Nicholas II (1897). Opened his own workshop at 9 Kazan Street (1898). Died in St Petersburg (1901), where his work was continued by his widow Henrika (1901–03). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1882). Contributed to the Pan-Russian Exhibition of Art and Industry in Moscow (1882, gold medal), Internationale Ausstellung von Arbeiten aus Edlen Metallen und Legierungen in Nuremberg (1885, gold medal), Peter Karl Fabergé: Jeweler to the Czar at the Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington (2000–01), Fabergén aika at the Museum Centre Vapriikki in Tampere (2006), Fabergé: The Hodges Family Collection at the Frick Art & Historical Center in Pittsburgh (2011–12), Fabergé: The Rise and Fall at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit (2012–13) and Fabergé: A Brilliant Vision at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston (2013).

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