Faberge Part 2

Yay! Time for more Faberge! Like last time, I've highlighted four to focus on for this post.

Winter



This egg was made in 1913 for Maria Feodorovna and was given to her by her son Tsar Nicholas II. The outside of the egg is decorated with 1,660 diamonds and the surprise, a flower basket, is studded with 1,378. This egg is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! It looks like it's crafted from pure ice and I love that the surprise is a flower basket because to me that represents spring coming after the winter. This egg reportedly belongs to the Emir of Qatar.

Steel Military



The Steel Military was made in 1916 and given to the Tsar's wife Alexandra Fyodorovna. The surprise is a miniature painting by Vassily Zuiev. This egg reflects the events going on with Russia at the time as they were involved in World War I when this egg was made. The Kremlin Armoury owns this egg.

Twelve Monograms



Gifted in 1896 to the Tsar's mother Maria, this egg is decorated with the monograms of 'MF' for Maria Fyodorovna and 'AIII' for Alexander III. The surprise is missing. This egg is located at the Hillwood Museum in Wahington, D.C.

Rosebud



Alexandra received this egg in 1895 and was the first egg given to her. The egg opened to reveal a rosebud which contained the surprises. The surprises were a golden crown with diamonds and rubies and a cabochon ruby pendent, they are lost. The crown was a reference to Alexandra's new role as Empress of Russia after her husband's accession to the throne. The rosebud reminded her of the rose garden of Rosenhohe, Darmstadt in Germany where she was from. This egg is located at the Faberge Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.