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Details / Information for Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

1915
(Russian, 1846–1920)
(Russian, 1862–1923)
(Russian, 1842–1918)
Russia, St. Petersburg
gold, silver gilt, enamel, glass, ivory
Overall: 8.6 x 6.4 cm (3 3/8 x 2 1/2 in.)
The India Early Minshall Collection 1963.673
Location: 211 Fabergé
Public Domain
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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

Commissioned to honor Empress Alexandra's founding of the Red Cross in Russia at the start of the First World War as well as the commitment to wartime service of her and her daughters Olga and Tatiana, this egg is poignant in its spare design. Compared to other Fabergé eggs elaborately ornamented with jewels, the egg reflects the mood of austerity in Russia during World War I with its two simple red enamel crosses, emblazoned with miniatures of Olga and Tatiana, over a white enamel background. When opened, the egg reveals a depiction of Christ's resurrection flanked by the patron saints of the two young grand duchesses.
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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