Year delivered 1902 Year of acquisition Last known mid-1990 Materials used gold, Nephrite Created 1902 | Individual or institution Unknown Workmaster Unknown Artist Peter Carl Fabergé | |
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Customer Alexander III, presented to Maria Feodorovna Similar Cherub with Chariot E, Nécessaire Egg, Alexander III Equestrian, Clover Leaf, Standart Yacht | ||
The Empire Nephrite egg is a jewelled Easter egg, one of the Imperial Eggs made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé in 1901-1902, for Nicholas II of Russia, who presented it to his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna on the Easter 1902.
The name of the egg refers to the fact that it was made in the Empire Style, from nephrite. The original Fabergé invoice reads: "Egg, "Empire", from nephrite, with gold, two diamonds and miniature". The egg reappeared in the mid-1990s and some Fabergé researchers were the mistaken opinion that this egg was decorated with a medallion portrait of Alexander III of Russia, though the original bill did not refer to a portrait of Alexander III. This mistake was result of a misinterpretation of the Moscow Armory Chamber valuables selection list. This list noted an "Egg from nephrite, on a golden base, and with portrait of the Emperor Alexander III in a medallion". Because of this, many researchers were certain, that the 1902 Imperial egg featured an Alexander III portrait, though there is no evidence to support that.