Empire Nephrite (Fabergé egg)
| Empire Nephrite Fabergé egg | |
|---|---|
| Year delivered | 1902 |
| Customer | Alexander III, presented to Maria Feodorovna |
| Current owner | |
| Individual or institution | Private Collection, USA |
| Year of acquisition | Last known mid-1990 |
| Design and materials | |
| Workmaster | Unknown, likely Mikhail Perkhin[1] |
| Materials used | gold, Nephrite |
| Height | Unknown |
| Width | Unknown |
| Surprise | miniature |
The Empire Nephrite or Alexander III Medallion egg is a jewelled Easter egg, one of the Imperial Eggs made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé in 1901-1902, for Nicholas II of Russia, who presented it to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna on the Easter 1902.
The name of the egg refers to the fact that it was made in the Empire Style, from nephrite.[2] The original Fabergé invoice reads: "Egg, "Empire", from nephrite, with gold, two diamonds and miniature". The egg reappeared in the mid-1990s and some Fabergé researchers were the mistaken opinion that this egg was decorated with a medallion portrait of Alexander III of Russia, though the original bill did not refer to a portrait of Alexander III.[3] This mistake was result of a misinterpretation of the Moscow Armory Chamber valuables selection list. This list noted an "Egg from nephrite, on a golden base, and with portrait of the Emperor Alexander III in a medallion".[4] Because of this, many researchers were certain, that the 1902 Imperial egg featured an Alexander III portrait, though there is no evidence to support that.
See also
References
- ↑ Will Lowes; Christel Ludewig McCanless (2001). Fabergé Eggs: A Retrospective Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-8108-3946-5.
- ↑ 1902 Empire Nephrite Egg, Mieks Fabergé Eggs.
- ↑ Skurlov, Valentin; Faberge, Tatiana; Proper, Lynette G. (August 1997). The Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs. Christie's. p. 183. ISBN 090343248X.
- ↑ Tutova, Tatiana (2015). The Russian Imperial House court treasures destiny. The state historical-cultural museum-reserve "The Moscow Kremlin". p. 7. ISBN 978-5-88678-287-5.