Miniature Crown Surprise from the Lapis Lazuli Easter Egg

attributed to Peter Carl Fabergé (Russian, 1846–1920)

attributed to House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918)

c. 1885–90

Medium
gold, enamel, lapis lazuli, pearls, diamonds, rubies
Classification
Miscellaneous
Culture
Russia, St. Petersburg
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art, Decorative Art and Design
Credit line
The India Early Minshall Collection
Rights
Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This Easter egg, like the subsequent ones produced by Fabergé for the imperial family, contains a surprise when opened. In this case, the egg opens to display a yellow enameled cover, resembling an egg yolk, which then opens to reveal a tiny replica of the Russian imperial crown, containing either a ruby or a pink sapphire suspended on a chain.