BADEN BADEN.- In the first five months of 2013, the Faberge Museum added close to 50 items to its collection. These included a magnificent Faberge snuffbox with the monogram of Emperor Nicholas II that was purchased at A La Vieille Russie vintage jewelry and Faberge shop on Fifth Avenue in New York.

The museum has an ambitious acquisitions plan, aiming to buy as many as 300 Faberge items this year, said Alexander Ivanov, the museum’s owner. This is in part motivated to compensate for recent losses to the museum’s collection due to a divorce settlement between Mr Ivanov and his former wife.

"In addition to about 600 Faberge items, as part as our settlement my ex-wife received a large number of paintings, icons, jewelry, and old photos from Russian and European imperial houses," said Mr Ivanov.

Among the Faberge items that left the collection are: the ice carrier; the famous Romanov griffin clock; a green-enameled snuff box with portrait of Nicholas II; pelican and kiwi hardstone figures; the Ksheshschinsky jeweled tree; a ring belonging to the Russian Emperor, and a service table.

"Despite these losses, the Faberge Museum continues to be the largest and finest Faberge collection in the world," said Mr Ivanov. "Every great collection has its ups and downs, and we will continue to grow the collection in quality and quantity. In addition to Faberge, I actively grow my new collection of ancient gold jewelry."