Artwork Page for Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

Details / Information for Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

1915
designer

Peter Carl Fabergé

(Russian, 1846–1920)
workmaster

Henrik Wigström

(Russian, 1862–1923)
maker

House of Fabergé

(Russian, 1842–1918)
Culture
Russia, St. Petersburg
Medium
gold, silver gilt, enamel, glass, ivory
Measurements
Overall: 8.6 x 6.4 cm (3 3/8 x 2 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
The India Early Minshall Collection 1963.673
Public Domain
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Location
211 Fabergé
Print
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Did You Know?

This egg was confiscated by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution and sold by the government of Josef Stalin in the 1930s to raise money for the Soviet treasury.

Description

The House of Fabergé made two imperial Easter eggs in 1915 that honored the contributions of Tsarina Alexandra and her two eldest daughters, Olga and Tatiana, to the war effort as Red Cross Sisters of Mercy. Compared to other Fabergé eggs elaborately ornamented with jewels, the eggs reflected the mood of austerity in Russia during World War I. This version becomes an icon when opened, revealing miniatures of the patron saints of the tsarina’s daughters. After the Russian Revolution, this relic of the Tsarist past was sold by the Soviet government to raise needed cash for the treasury.
A tan, egg-shaped capsule that opens up down the middle to display a smaller white egg with a red cross on each side. In the middle of the crosses are miniatures of two faces and inside the white egg, which opens up to the side to display panels, is a depiction of Christ's ressurection along with patron saints.

Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

1915

Peter Carl Fabergé, Henrik Wigström, House of Fabergé

(Russian, 1846–1920), (Russian, 1862–1923), (Russian, 1842–1918)
Russia, St. Petersburg

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