This egg is carved from Siberian nephrite. The surface has then been divided by five diamond studded lines, which are connected to each other by gold garlands inlaid with rose and ruby flowers. Between the vertical lines are five oval miniature portraits of Tsar Nicholas II's children, framed by rose-cut diamonds. Over each of them is also a diamond-set monogram. On the inside of the egg are written the names and birth dates (based on the Old Style calendar) on the back of each child's portrait: "Olga" - November 3, 1859, "Tatiana" - May 29, 1897, "Maria" - June 14, 1899, "Anastasia" - June 5, 1901, "Alexei" - July 30, 1904. On top and bottom of the egg are set triangular diamonds, bearing the initials "A.F." (Alexandra Feodorovna). The original stand has been lost, and the present one was made at the Moscow experimental jewelry factory in 1989.
When opened up, the egg reveals the surprise - a tiny replica of the Imperial family's favorite residence at Tsarskoye Selo, the Alexander Palace!
As usual when it comes to Fabergé's work, the miniature is extremely detailed. It is made out of tinted gold, with a green enamel roof and rock crystal windows.
The replica stands on a round "table" with five narrow legs. The inscription "The Palace at Sarskoye Selo" is engraved on the base.
The Alexander Palace was built in 1769, by the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi., for Catherine the Great's favorite grandson, Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich, who would become Tsar Alexander I. Later the palace became the principal residence of Tsar Nicholas II and his family.
Ok. Just had to show you this picture too! This is Alexander I's bedroom in the palace. Sweet dreams...
The "Alexander Palace Egg" never left Russia, and is one of ten Imperial Easter Eggs which are held at the Kremlin Armory in moscow.
