The Imperial Fabergé Eggs And Their Stories
The Most Famous Eggs In The World
From 1885 to 1917, Emperors Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia gave their wives and mothers the most extraordinary gifts: the legendary Fabergé Eggs. These intricate jeweled creations are among the most valuable and elaborate treasures in the world. Here are the stories behind some of the eggs.
Hen (1885)
The first of the eggs, the First Hen, established the tradition of containing intricate surprises inside. The egg opens to reveal a golden yolk which itself contains a jeweled hen with ruby eyes. The hen also opens, revealing tiny versions of the Russian imperial crown and a ruby pendant. The final two surprises are, unfortunately, lost to history.
Third Imperial (1887)
Presented to Maria Feodorovna on Easter 1887, this egg sits on a golden stand and contains a 14K gold Vacheron Constantin lady’s watch. The Third Imperial was thought lost for many years, but was rediscovered in 2012 and now sits in a private collection.
Danish Palaces (1890)
This egg is held at the MOMA in New York as part of the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation. A pink-mauve egg decorated with emeralds, the Danish Palaces contains a 10-panel screen decorated with 10 watercolors by Konstantin Krijitski. The paintings depict locations and items of importance to the Russian royal family.
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Memory Of Azov (1891)
Carved from a solid piece of bloodstone, the Memory of Azov egg contains a small replica of the ship for which it is named. This was the boat that future Emperor Nicholas II voyaged on to the Far East in an attempt to broaden the perspective needed by a future ruler of Russia. His mother, the Tsarina, did not like this egg as much as the others.
