1906 Imperial Egg with Swan
This golden egg, enamelled in mauve (the Czarina's favourite colour), is decorated with ribbons of brilliants and with a diamond set at each end. It bears the unabridged signature of Fabergé and the assay mark of Jakov Ljaounov, Saint Petersburg. It was given by Czar Nicholas II to the Czarina for the Easter celebrations of 1906, and conceals a surprise: in a basket dressed
with garlands flowers in three colours of gold (white, yellow and pink), an aquamarine supports a miniature swan in finely dressed grey gold, with enamelled eyes and beak. When the mechanism is activated, the swan advances and starts to spread its wings, moving its feet and rump; the head and neck rise up proudly and then come down again.This egg was part of the collection of King Faroukh, the last King of Egypt.
