Coronation Egg with surprise
Gold, platinum, enamel, diamonds, rubies, and rock crystal;  h. 12.7 cm; surprise, 9.3 cm
by House of Fabergé, Mikhail Perkhin, Henrik Wigström, and Georg Stein, 1897
Fabergé Museum, Saint Petersburg
After a photograph by Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, 2011

The exterior of this egg's surface is a translucent yellow, overlaid with a subtle guilloché pattern that creates a shimmering, starburst effect. This luminous base is then adorned with a network of intricately designed laurel bands, forming a trellis that encircles the egg. At each point where the laurel bands meet, a black enamelled double-headed eagle, a symbol of the Romanov dynasty, is set. These eagles boast tiny diamonds on their chests, adding another layer of sparkle and opulence. A large portrait diamond appears at the top of the egg. This design echoes the gold, ermine-trimmed robes worn by the Tsar and Tsarina during their coronation ceremony. The surprise inside this egg is a miniature replica of the 18th-century Imperial carriage that carried the Tsarina to her coronation. A marvel of craftsmanship, the carriage is carefully recreated using gold, diamonds, platinum, rubies, and strawberry red enamel, which capture the original's colours and intricate details. Amongst its features are engraved rock crystal windows, platinum tires, and upholstery. The egg has a number of missing items, including a possible emerald or diamond pendant, a display case, and stand. The egg was expected to be auctioned in 2004, but was instead sold privately to Viktor Vekselberg for an undisclosed price.