Erik August Kollin (28 December 1836 – 1901) was born in Pohja in SW Finland . He completed as a journeyman at gold and silversmith Alexander Palmén in Ekenäs in 1858 before travelling to St. Petersburg. Qualified as workmaster in 1868 at August Holmström's workshop, in 1870 opened his own workshop in St. Petersburg. Kollin worked for August Holmström and for Carl Fabergé, and was soon put in charge of all Fabergé workshops, a post he held until 1886 when he was replaced by Michael Perkhin.