Look down at your screen to see an image of the first egg discussed.
Tsar Nicholas II presented this pink and gold Catherine the Great egg as a gift to his mother, Maria Feodorovna, on Easter morning 1914. Craftsmen from the celebrated firm of Fabergé created cameo-like vignettes in the pink enamel panels. The largest ones depict allegorical scenes of the arts and sciences. The small ovals are adorned with cherubs representing the four seasons. Between the panels in raised gold are musical instruments and tools used in the arts and sciences. At the top and bottom of the egg are large single diamonds. This egg was named for Catherine the Great, who was known for her patronage of the arts and sciences. The top opened to reveal a miniature figure of the empress seated in a wind-up sedan chair carried by two servants. Unfortunately, this marvelous surprise has long been lost.
Now look at the midnight blue egg in the same case. Nicholas gave it to his mother, following an Easter tradition his father, Tsar Alexander III, had begun in 1885. After Alexander died in 1894, Nicholas began ordering two eggs each year, one for his mother and one for his wife, Alexandra. This stunning dark blue egg is enameled in a technique called champlevé. It may look as if the gold is simply painted on top of the dark blue enamel. Only a magnifying glass reveals that areas for the enamel were actually carved out of the gold. When they were filled, they left the delicate gold ribs that form the vines and leaves. Rows of diamonds divide the egg into 12 panels. Within them are the crowned initials of Nicholas’ parents. The surprise the egg once contained is lost.
Tsar Nicholas II presented this pink and gold Catherine the Great egg as a gift to his mother, Maria Feodorovna, on Easter morning 1914. Craftsmen from the celebrated firm of Fabergé created cameo-like vignettes in the pink enamel panels. The largest ones depict allegorical scenes of the arts and sciences. The small ovals are adorned with cherubs representing the four seasons. Between the panels in raised gold are musical instruments and tools used in the arts and sciences. At the top and bottom of the egg are large single diamonds. This egg was named for Catherine the Great, who was known for her patronage of the arts and sciences. The top opened to reveal a miniature figure of the empress seated in a wind-up sedan chair carried by two servants. Unfortunately, this marvelous surprise has long been lost.
Now look at the midnight blue egg in the same case. Nicholas gave it to his mother, following an Easter tradition his father, Tsar Alexander III, had begun in 1885. After Alexander died in 1894, Nicholas began ordering two eggs each year, one for his mother and one for his wife, Alexandra. This stunning dark blue egg is enameled in a technique called champlevé. It may look as if the gold is simply painted on top of the dark blue enamel. Only a magnifying glass reveals that areas for the enamel were actually carved out of the gold. When they were filled, they left the delicate gold ribs that form the vines and leaves. Rows of diamonds divide the egg into 12 panels. Within them are the crowned initials of Nicholas’ parents. The surprise the egg once contained is lost.