Memory of Azov

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 the then Tsar of Russia, Alexander III.

It was presented by Alexander III to Marie Feodorovna

It is one of the few eggs that has never left Russia. It is currently held in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.

Craftsmanship

Carved from a solid piece of heliotrope jasper, also known as bloodstone, it 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.

History of the Egg

The egg commemorates the voyage made by then-Tsarevitch Nicholas and Grand Duke George 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 whilst in Japan and sustained a serious head wound. The Tsarina was presented with the egg before these events occurred and it was never one of her favourite eggs.

urprise

The surprise is a miniature replica of the 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.

The name "Azov" appears on the ship's stern, resting on an aquamarine plate representing the water. The plate has a golden frame with a loop enabling the model to be removed from the egg.

ee also

*Fabergé egg
*Egg decorating

External links

* [http://andrejkoymasky.com/liv/fab/09/fab09.html A detailed article on the 'Memory of Azov' Egg]