The Fabergé imperial eggs are a collection of 52 jewelled Easter eggs, crafted by the House of Fabergé, from 1885 to 1917. They were first commissioned by Tsar Alexander III as Easter presents for his wife, Maria Feodorovna, the Hen Egg being the first in the series. Their son, Tsar Nicholas II, continued the tradition and gave them as presents to his mother, and also his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna. These eggs represent the most celebrated creations of the House of Fabergé during that period. Historical records suggest a total production of up to 69 eggs, but the imperial series remains the most renowned. They were crafted from various precious materials such as gold, platinum, diamonds, and other gemstones, and a range of techniques, such as intricate enamelling to create lifelike details on the surfaces, while some eggs incorporated hardstone carving or guilloché. The size and complexity of the eggs vary; some are relatively small and simple, while others are quite large and feature elaborate mechanisms. Notably, some eggs contain hidden surprises within, such as miniature portraits, clocks, or even working models of animals or vehicles. Each design was left to Fabergé's imagination, and he would surprise the imperial family when presenting the eggs at Easter. Following the tumultuous events of the Russian Revolution, the Soviet government confiscated the imperial family's property, including the eggs. They subsequently sold a significant portion of the collection to raise funds for the new regime. Today, these treasures are dispersed across the globe, housed in museums and private collections.

E: h. 9.5
d. 6.3
(overall 21.5)

E: h. 19
d. 16.5
S: l. 11

E: h. 27.3
(closed)
h. 30 (open)