Alma Theresia Pihl (1888–1976) was the daughter of Fanny and Knut Oscar Pihl, and with her skills, she was almost born into a Fabergé career. Fanny Pihl was the daughter of August Holmström, leading jeweller of Fabergé, while Knut Oscar Pihl was head of Fabergé's jewellery shop in Moscow. In 1903, Alma Pihl's uncle, Albert Holmström, followed her grandfather as head jeweller for Fabergé in St. Petersburg. Here, she was soon hired as a trainee, and in 1909, only 21 years old, she was already a jewellery designer, based on her impressing drawings.

Dr Emanuel Nobel, director of the Nobel oil empire, was one of Fabergé's largest clients. In 1911, he wished to order forty small jewellery items, which became Alma Pihl's chance to show her skills. During the Russian winter, her window at the Fabergé workshop in St. Petersburg was covered with ice and snow, while the sun was shining through. This sight inspired her to use ice crystals in the design of Dr Nobel's jewellery. Thirty-seven brooches in six or seven different designs were soon produced and all bought by Dr Nobel, who even purchased the exclusive rights to Alma Pihl's design as well. Following, Dr Nobel bought a number of necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and miniature eggs in the same design. All these orders were used as gifts to female guests at Nobel company parties or to female members of the Nobel family.

The design is called Alma Pihl's tribute to the Russian winter. Another of her career highlights was when Dr Nobel allowed Tsar Nicholas II of Russia to use the design for “The Winter Egg”, which Alma Pihl designed for Easter in 1913.

Provenance: Formerly Dr Emanuel Nobel (1859–1932).

Litterature: “Fabergé and the Russian Jewellers: A Loan Exhibition”, Wartski London 2006, p. 106–13 with jewels in this design mentioned and depicted. Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm, “Jewels from Imperial St. Petersburg”, St. Petersburg and London 2012, p. 240–254 with jewels in this design mentioned and depicted.