The Steel Military Egg, 1916 Back/Start/Next

Steel Military EggSteel Military EggMade in St. Petersburg
Workmaster: Henrik Wigstrom.
Marks: Faberge, H.W., 72, kokoshnik.
Materials: Gold, steel, nephrite.
Dimensions: Height 61/2" (16.7 cm).
Techniques: Casting, painting.
Kept in the State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin, inv.no.MP-652/1-3
Description:
The steel egg, with gold patterns surmounted by a gold crown, rests on four artillery shells. It is divided into three sections by two smooth horizontal lines. In the middle section, in invalid gold, is an image of George the Conqueror in a diamond-shaped frame outlined in laurel leaves; the date "1916" encircled by a laurel wreath; the Russian emblem, consisting of a double-headed eagle beneath three crowns; and the monogram of empress Alexandra Feodorovna, also encircled by a laurel wreath. The egg is surmounted by a golden crown surrounded by a gold wreath. The four steel artillery shells supporting the egg are set on a dual-level square nephrite base. A steel easel bearing the monogram of empress Alexandra Feodorovna is inserted into the egg. On the easel there is a gold and white enamel frame displaying the emblem Order of St.George surmounted by a golden crown. The frame encloses a miniature paining on ivory by Vassily Zuiev depicting emperor Nicholas II and his son at the Front.
Provenance:
Presented by emperor Nicholas II to his wife, empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Easter 1916.


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