"The return of the collection is a noble deed. This is an unprecedented action in connection with its price. I am happy our businessmen are doing such things," Gusev told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
The Russian Museum director expects businessmen to continue this tradition and purchase not only famous rarities, such as Faberge jewels, but also pieces which are not presented in Russian museums.
Vladimir Gusev also hopes that many people will see the Faberge collection in Russia. "Such masterpieces should be widely available and should not settle in private collections," he noted.
Chairman of the board of the Tyumen Oil Company /TNK/ recently purchased the world's largest private collection of Faberge jewelry at Sotheby's. The collection contains 180 pieces, including nine Easter eggs created by the order of the Russian royal family. Formerly it belonged to the Forbes family of American media tycoons.
The Russian businessman claimed his intention to bring the collection back to Russia.
