Made in St. Petersburg.
Workmaster: Michael Perkhin
Marks: M.P, Y.L. (initials of inspector Yakov
Lyapunov of St.Petersburg Standard Board), 56, kokoshnik.
Materials: Gold, platinum, diamonds, rubies.
Dimensions: Height 3.9" (9.8 cm)
Techniques: Translucent and opaque enamel.
Kept in the State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin,
inv.no.MP-654/1-2.
Description: This simple pattern of stems and
leaves of clover makes the shape of an egg. It seems to be
woven of very tiny golden threads which span a very expressive
picture. The gaps between the metal outline of leaves are
covered with transparent bright green enamel. A very thin
golden ribbon paved with rubies curls here or there through
the rich foliage. The transparent enamel was a new method
in art. It was very difficult to create it. Usually the artist
used a very steady alloy of enamel because having no support
the enamel could crack while being fired or while cooling.
You see how the work with enamel in this masterpiece is perfect.
There are no bubbles or cracks in the enamel. This egg is
considered one of the finest examples of the jeweler's art
anywhere in the world. The "surprise" of the egg
had been lost but according to the archives four leaves with
23 diamonds and 4 portrait miniatures of the emperor's daughters
were fixed inside the egg. These leaves are the symbol of
the happy marriage of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna.
This egg was the Easter present of Nicholas II to his wife,
the emperor Alexandra Feodorovna.
Provenance: Presented by emperor Nicholas II
to his wife, ermpress Alexandra Feodorovna, Easter 1902.
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