Revolving Miniatures Egg
Rock crystal, gold, emerald, diamonds, enamel, and watercolour on ivory; h. 24.8 cm, d. 9.8 cm
by House of Fabergé, Mikhail Perkhin, and Johannes Zehngraf, 1896
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Photograph by Hemant Bedekar, 2018

This egg is crafted from a single block of translucent rock crystal, allowing a clear view of its interior, and to display the surprise within. A band of vibrant emerald green enamel, studded with rose-cut diamonds, encircles the egg's midsection. Rising from the emerald green band is a slender column of gold. This column features contrasting white and red enamel accents, creating a visually arresting geometric pattern that complements the overall design.  A large cabochon Siberian emerald, estimated at 27 carats, sits atop the egg. This seemingly static element serves as the key to the egg's surprise. Pressing the emerald activates an internal mechanism that rotates a set of twelve miniature paintings. These paintings, signed by Danish artist Johannes Zehngraff, depict various residences with personal significance to the Tsarina, including palaces in Russia, Germany, and Britain. The egg stands on a rock crystal plinth decorated with champlevé enamels featuring the Empress's monogram before her marriage and as Empress of Russia. This was one of the twelve Fabergé eggs selected for export sale after the were confiscated from they Imperial family.