Made in St. Petersburg
Workmaster: Henrik Wigstrom.
Marks: Faberge, H.W., Y.L. (initials of inspector
Yakova Lyapunova of St.Petersburg Standard Board), 72, kokoshnik.
Materials: Gold, silver, diamonds, rosettes,
rubies, nephrite, rock crystal, ivory.
Dimensions: Height 43/8" (11 cm).
Techniques: Casting, minting, engraving,
miniature painting, stone cutting.
Kept in the State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin,
inv.no.MP-648.
Description: The nephrite egg is adorned
with five miniature portraits of the children of emperor
Nicholas II and contains a replica of Alexander Palace at
Tzarskoye Selo. The upper and lower sections of the egg
are set with triangular diamonds bearing the initial A.F.
(Alexandra Feodorovna) and golden leaves and flowers composed
of rubies and diamonds. The remainder of the egg's surface
is divided by five vertical lines, studded with diamonds
and connected with one another by gold garlands inlaid with
rose and ruby flowers. In the spaces between the vertical
lines are five miniature oval portraits of emperor Nicholas
II's children, executed in watercolor on a diamond monogram
- the first initial of the child represented. Two gold branches
tied into a bow rest beneath each child's portrait. Inside
the egg, on the reverse side of each portrait, is engraved
the birth date of the person represented, framed by two
branches tied into a bow: "Olga" - November 3,
1895; "Tatiana" - May 29, 1897; "Maria"
- June 14, 1899; "Anastasia" - June 5, 1901; "Alexei"
- July 30, 1904. The replica of Alexander Palace and its
adjoining gardens are concealed within the egg. Executed
in tinted gold and enamel, the model is secured on a round
pedestal with five high narrow legs, connected at the bottom.
The inscription "The Palace at Tzarskoye Selo",
enclosed in a laurel wreath, is engraved on the base.
Provenance: Presented by emperor Nicholas
II to his wife, empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Easter 1908.
