The pine cone is a symbol of resurrection, and this one is covered in translucent royal blue enamel over a sunburst guilloché ground, encrusted with rose-cut diamonds mounted in platinum. The date "1900" is written at one end, and covered in quatrefoil made of four pear-shaped diamonds.
When opened into two halves, the egg reveals a fitted velvet compartment that holds the surprise - an oxidized Indian elephant automaton. The tiny animal is made of silver, gold, red and green enamel, and has tusks made of ivory. Each side of it is set with three rose-cut diamond collets, one which covers a key hole. On top of the elephant sits an enamel turbaned mahout upon a gold fringed, red and green guilloché enamel saddle cloth. The original gold key is still in place, and when wound up the elephant lumbers forward, shifting its weight from one side to the other, while at the same time turning its head and wagging its tail.
These sorts of Fabergé easter eggs were made for only a few customers, apart from the Imperial Family, and the Kelches were probably Fabergé's wealthiest private patrons.
In 1997 the "Pine Cone Egg" was offered by Christie's, New York, from the collection of Joan Kroc, but did not sell at the highest bid of 2.8 million USD. The presale estimate was 3.5 to 4.5 million USD.
Gorgeous, love the little piece that comes inside. That's the prettiest pine cone I ever seen ;) Have a great weekend petal xx
ReplyDeleteI love this pine cone egg and the elephant in the last photo too, it looks so sleek and awesome, have to love all three of these eggs in this series, thanks for sharing them with us Miss Meadows.
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