The Faberge Easter Eggs (a selection)
Made by master-jeweler Mikhail Perkhin.
1. Model of the cruiser Commemorating the Siege of Azov. 1891. Gold, platinum, diamonds, aquamarine, heliotrope.
2. Applicage Ajourc Egg. 1902. Gold, diamonds, rubies, enamel.
3. Clock. 1899. Gold, diamonds, onyx, enamel.
The Armory Chamber houses a fascinating collection of articles made by the largest jewelers' in Russia-the Faberge firm founded in St. Petersburg in the 1840s. The masterpieces of Faberge are invariably stunning in virtuosity of execution and variety of materials and forms employed.
They include watches, caskets, vases, snuff boxes, brooches, rings, original bouquets, and miniature figurines of animals and birds carved of various semiprecious stones, as well as a large number of Easter Eggs with surprises inside made for the royal family of Russia. By the beginning of the 20th century, over 500 jewelers were employed by Faberge, the extremely talented Mikhail Perkhin among them.
The impeccable mastery of his model of the cruiser, Commemorating the Siege of Azov, is simply astounding. The case which houses this model is made of semi-precious dark green heliotrope fashioned in the form of an Easter Egg decorated with golden swirls inset with diamonds. Within the egg, on a tiny base of aquamarine, stands a miniature golden scale model of the cruiser.
The skill with which the Applicage Ajoure Egg is executed is equally amazing. The clover leaves are finished in green transparent enamel of diamonds. Among the clover leaves twines a scarlet ribbon of sparkling rubies. This egg is considered one of the finest examples of the jeweler's art anywhere in the world.
The clock made in the shape of a vase holding a bouquet of lilies is indeed unique. The hour hand, set entirely with diamonds, is fixed in place, while the face of the clock-a strip of white enamel with Roman numerals-rotates. The vase is covered with transparent amber-colored enamel. The lilies are carved of onyx, while their stems and stamens are wrought of colored gold.
