Alexander III Palace Egg
Gold, diamonds, rubies, nephrite, watercolour on ivory, silver, rock crystal, enamel, wood, glass; h.11, d. 6.8 cm
by House of Fabergé and Henrik Wigström, 1908
Kremlin Armoury, Moscow
Photograph by Shakko, 2011

This egg was presented by Tsar Nicholas II for his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna. Constructed from nephrite, five miniature portraits of the imperial children are set within the design, each framed by a dazzling array of tiny diamonds. Above each portrait appears a crown in gold and diamonds, and a monogram set in diamonds of each child. The initials of the Empress, AF, and the year 1908 appear in the top and bottom areas, set in diamonds. The egg is separated by five lines of diamonds, and each section is decorated with golden wreaths and garlands, and flowers and bows of rubies and diamonds. Inside the egg appears the name and date of birth of each child. The surprise for this egg is a replica of the Alexander Palace, crafted from tinted gold, silver, rock crystal (for the windows), and guilloché enamel, faithfully capturing the Neo-classical architectural style of the original structure. The replica palace features intricate details, including columns, statues, gardens and trees. The egg's original stand is lost, the current one being a modern production.