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Clover Leaf Egg
Gold, platinum, rubies, diamonds, and enamel; h. 9.8 cm
by House of Fabergé and Mikhail Perkhin, 1902
Kremlin Armoury, Moscow
After a photograph by Alan Paterson, 2003

An Easter present from Tsar Nicholas II of Russia to his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, this egg's design employs a complex openwork technique, where delicate stems and leaves of clover intertwine to form the egg shape. This intricate framework creates a network that evokes the natural form of the clover plant while simultaneously enclosing a space within. This interior space becomes the canvas for a masterful display of craftsmanship. Diamonds and translucent green enamel fills the spaces within the goldwork. This technique (plique-à-jour), a notable achievement of the time, allows vibrant light to pass through the egg, creating a luminous effect that evokes the very essence of spring – a season of renewal and fresh beginnings. Further enriching the design is a thin gold ribbon set with rubies. This ribbon winds gracefully through the clover foliage, adding a layer of detail and colour that complements the gold and green hues. The surprise for this egg is lost, but is thought to have been a clover leaf in gold and diamonds, holding four miniature portraits of the Emperor's daughters.