Memory of Azov Egg

Memory of Azov Fabergé egg
Memory of Azov Egg
Year delivered	1891
Customer	Maria Feodorovna
Current owner
Individual or institution	Kremlin Armoury, Moscow
Design and materials
Workmaster	Michael Perkhin and Yuri Nicolai
Materials used	bloodstone, ruby, diamonds, gold, platinum, aquamarine
Height	9.3 centimetres (3.7 in)
Surprise	replica cruiser Pamiat Azova

The Memory of Azov Egg (or the Azova Egg) is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé in 1891 for Tsar Alexander III of Russia. It was presented by Alexander III as an Easter gift to his wife, the Czarina Maria Feodorovna. It is currently held in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.

Design

Carved from a solid piece of heliotrope jasper, also known as bloodstone, the Memory of Azov Egg is decorated in the Louis XV style with a superimposed gold pattern of rococo scrolls with brilliant diamonds and chased gold flowers. The broad flute gold bezel is set with a drop ruby and two diamonds that complete the clasp. The egg's interior is lined with green velvet.

Surprise

The surprise contained within is a miniature replica of the Imperial Russian Navy cruiser Pamiat Azova (Memory of Azov), executed in red and yellow gold and platinum with small diamonds for windows, set on a piece of aquamarine representing the water. The name "Azov" appears on the ship's stern. The plate has a golden frame with a loop enabling the model to be removed from the egg.

History

The egg's original stand, now lost. In the photo is supporting the Catherine the Great egg, 1930s.

For more details on this topic, see Eastern journey of Nicholas II.

The egg commemorates the voyage made by Tsarevitch Nicholas and Grand Duke George of Russia aboard the Pamiat Azova to the Far East in 1890. The trip was made after a suggestion by their parents to broaden the outlook of the future Tsar and his brother. At the time, Grand Duke George was suffering from tuberculosis, and the voyage only exacerbated it. Tsarevitch Nicholas was also the victim of an attempted assassination ("Ōtsu incident") whilst in Japan and sustained a serious head wound. Although the Tsarina was presented with the egg before these events occurred, it apparently was never one of her favourite eggs.

References

Faber, Toby. Faberge's Eggs: The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire. Random House (2008) ISBN 1-4000-6550-X
Forbes, Christopher and Johann Georg Prinz von Hohenzollern. FABERGE; The Imperial Eggs. Prestel (1990). ASIN B000YA9GOM
Lowes, Will. Fabergé Eggs: A Retrospective Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press (2001) ISBN 0-8108-3946-6
Snowman, A Kenneth. Carl Faberge: Goldsmith to the Imperial Court of Russia. Gramercy (1988) ISBN 0-517-40502-4

External links

Description at mieks.com

Fabergé egg

Imperial Easter Eggs	Hen Hen with Sapphire Pendant Third Cherub with Chariot Nécessaire Danish Palaces Memory of Azov Diamond Trellis Caucasus Renaissance Rosebud Blue Serpent Clock Twelve Monograms Rock Crystal Alexander III Portraits Coronation Mauve Lilies-of-the-Valley Pelican Bouquet of Lilies Clock Pansy Trans-Siberian Railway Cockerel Basket of Wild Flowers Gatchina Palace Clover Leaf Empire Nephrite Peter the Great Royal Danish Moscow Kremlin Swan Rose Trellis Cradle with Garlands Alexander Palace Peacock Standart Yacht Alexander III Commemorative Colonnade Alexander III Equestrian Fifteenth Anniversary Bay Tree Tsarevich Napoleonic Romanov Tercentenary Winter Mosaic Grisaille Red Cross with Triptych Red Cross with Imperial Portraits Steel Military Order of St. George Karelian Birch Constellation (unfinished)

Fabergé Kelch Eggs	Twelve Panel Pine Cone Apple Blossom Rocaille Bonbonnière Chanticleer

Other Fabergé eggs	Blue Striped Enamel Duchess of Marlborough Rothschild Youssoupov Nobel Ice Resurrection Spring Flowers Scandinavian

55°44′58.25″N 37°36′47.90″E / 55.7495139°N 37.6133056°E / 55.7495139; 37.6133056

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