The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of August 18, 2022

Egg on Stand with Easel and Photograph of Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaievich

c. 1890-1896

Part of a set. See all set records

maker

Alexander Edward Tillander

(Russian, 1837-1918)

Russia, St. Petersburg, late 19th Century

Gold, enamel, sapphire, gold easel and stand, paper, faceted green glass

The India Early Minshall Collection 1966.435

Location

not on view

Description

In the Russian Orthodox religious tradition, eggs are offered as Easter gifts to symbolize rebirth, renewal, and the resurrection of Christ. This jeweled Russian egg is engraved with XB symbolizing the phrase, “Christ is risen,” and would have been given to a lady in a wealthy household, perhaps someone of high rank within the imperial court, given the richness of materials.

Inscriptions

Inscription

engraved beneath the enamel of the top are the Cyrillic letters "XB" [in monogram] which signify the phrase, "Christ is risen."

Provenance
India E. Minshall, Cleveland, Ohio.
Citations
Hawley, Henry. Fabergé and His Contemporaries: The India Early Minshall Collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, Cleveland Museum of Art, 1967. Reproduced: p. 93; mentioned: p. 92, cat. 44 archive.org
Exhibition history

The India Early Minshall Collection: Faberge and his Contemporaries. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (March 15, 1967-January 21, 1968).

Year in Review: 1967. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (November 29-December 31, 1967).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1966.435