Favourite jewelers of Romanov: the most magnificent jewelry of imperial family from the House Bolin

The jewelry striking with the luxury from Romanov' collection is of special value for experts worldwide. Of course, jewelry masterpieces of the imperial yard were not limited to the well-known creations of Fabergé who created for imperial family created fifty jewelry eggs of which the largest museums of the world still dream. Tiaras, the sparkling bracelets, parures, necklaces and brooches — all this was created in huge scales by talented jewelers who set high standards for masters worldwide.


For all history of imperial Russia about 40 jewelers worked for monarchical family, but one dynasty was allocated especially — the House Bolin who arose during Catherine the Great's government and existed up to revolution. Jewelers created the most expensive jewelry in Russia and served seven emperors and empresses in a row (while Fabergé worked only with two last governors of Russia). Even after the revolution family members ran away to Sweden from where there was their sort, and continue to be engaged in business still.


It is sick — one of the oldest jewelry houses in the world. History of a dynasty of masters began in 1791 when the emigrant from Germany Christoph-Andreas Rempler founded the diamond firm in St. Petersburg and quickly became one of the most outstanding jewelers in the city and "the master of diamonds" as it was quite often called. Five years later the emperor Paul I, Catherine II and Peter III's son, appointed him the court jeweler, and then and the official appraiser of the Russian Imperial Yard. At peak of the rough activity Bolin provided the House to the Imperial yard more, than all other jewelers combined.


After Andreas Rempler's death business was inherited by his sons-in-law jewelers — Gottlieb Ernst Yang and Karl Eduard Bolin whom daughters of the founder of firm married. Gottlieb became history of jewelry art, having created a unique diamond necklace with disgraces which cost was in 169,601 rubles (up to 1894 this sum was the highest). However finally Karl Eduard after the death of the partner became an owner Doma and continued Rempler's business.

In 1912 in acknowledgement of a contribution to development of jewelry to Empires and faithful service Corona the emperor Nicholas II granted Karl a noble title. It is amazing that despite obvious merits and close attention from the yard, Karl Eduard Bolin long lived in other Karl's shadow — the monsieur Fabergé whose name is still inseparably linked with the Russian royal family. However, Fabergé who started the business in 1842 became the official court jeweler only 50 years later.


Some of the most refined creations of the House Bolin were ordered in special cases, including royal weddings. While Fabergé specialized in refined Easter eggs, Bolin made unique jewelry which was more expensive.

According to the book "Jewelry Treasures of the Russian Imperial Yard" by Alexander Zimin, Bolin remained the preferable jeweler when business concerned gifts to the empress in memory of a royal engagement. Often in such magnificent gifts of the master used pearls. It is interesting that Bolin also sold Easter eggs to the Russian royal family that was noted in accounts of the company.


The Russian revolution put an end to the historical house of Fabergé, but what happened to Bolin? In 1852 the successor of business Wilhelm Bolin founded the Moscow branch of a company which finally became so successful that began to sign the creations with W.A. Bolin and it was appointed the court jeweler. Both branches constantly cooperated, and by the beginning of World War I the possibility of merge as Edward and Gustav who remained in St. Petersburg had no successors was discussed.


In 1912 Wilhelm opened shop in the German city of Bad-Homburg, the favourite place of the Russian royal family. Exactly here he also met the beginning of war. Having kept dual Russian-Swedish citizenship, Bolin managed to move the assets to Stockholm and in 1916 by means of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country and the famous banker Knut Agathon Wallenberg opened jewelry salon in Stockholm. At opening there was a king Gustav V. Unfortunately, the most part of creations of Bolin died during the revolution together with the Russian business, however descendants of the legendary jeweler still continue his business.


Now jewelers of the House receive orders from the Swedish king Carl XVI Gustaf. So, the House Bolin created a wedding ring which was carried by the hereditary princess of Sweden Victoria before the wedding with prince Daniel in 2010.