Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

Description

Commissioned to honor Empress Alexandra's founding of the Red Cross in Russia at the start of the First World War as well as the commitment to wartime service of her and her daughters Olga and Tatiana, this egg is poignant in its spare design. Compared to other Fabergé eggs elaborately ornamented with jewels, the egg reflects the mood of austerity in Russia during World War I with its two simple red enamel crosses, emblazoned with miniatures of Olga and Tatiana, over a white enamel background. When opened, the egg reveals a depiction of Christ's resurrection flanked by the patron saints of the two young grand duchesses.

Provenance

India Early Minshall [1885–1965], Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?-1963); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1963-)

Imperial Red Cross Easter Egg

Peter Carl Fabergé

1915

Accession Number

1963.673

Medium

gold, silver gilt, enamel, glass, ivory

Dimensions

Overall: 8.6 x 6.4 cm (3 3/8 x 2 1/2 in.)

Classification

Miscellaneous

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

The India Early Minshall Collection