WHILE some cruise lines are well known for their onboard art collections, that’s nothing compared to a find aboard a superyacht seized from a Russian oligarch.
US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco appeared on a panel at the high-level Aspen Security Forum in the US, discussing seizures from wealthy Russians imposed under the current sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Let’s get to the juicy stuff: the yachts,” she said.
“We’ve been finding some really interesting things…we recovered a Faberg- or alleged Faberg egg.”
It’s believed the jeweller to the Russian Tsars made 69 of the prized gem-encrusted eggs, including 50 created for Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II.
However there are currently 57 known surviving eggs, of which 44 were part of the royal collection, reports The Guardian.
The egg seized by the US is believed to have been aboard the US$300 million Amadea which was controversially seized while in Fijian waters earlier this year and taken to San Diego.
During a hearing about the extradition, the ship’s captain told a Fijian court that it was critical to maintain strict humidity and temperature levels on board to preserve valuable artworks and furnishings.
Officials haven’t yet determined the egg’s authenticity.