Russian royal treasures hidden after revolution set to fetch £1m

The Fabergé treasures of the Russian imperial family found only this year in the pillowcases in which they were sent for safekeeping after the revolution are to be sold in London.

More than 50 cigarette cases and around 70 pairs of cufflinks made by the top jewellers of the court are expected to fetch £1 million at auction by Sotheby's next week.

All were owned by the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, who was married Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, the son of Emperor Alexander II.

After the 1917 revolution, she asked an artist friend to spirit away the cache from her palace in St Petersburg, and it ended up in Sweden.

Olga Vaigatcheva, of Sotheby's, said: "There is enormous interest, because of the drama of the story."