Inspired by an 18th century original, the Hen Egg has an opaque white enamelled outer ‘shell’, opening with a twist to reveal a first surprise - a matt yellow gold yolk. This in turn contains an enamelled chased gold hen that once held a replica of the Imperial Crown with a precious ruby pendant egg within. The drop by itself cost more than half of the egg’s total price (both lost, being only known from an old photograph).

Imperial Easter egg, basket-shaped, silver-gilt and oyster guilloché enamel mounted with rose diamond trellis and oval handle with four bows, blue enamel splayed base with rose diamond trellis. Egg contains wild flowers, leaves and husks of enamel on gold. The Tsarina kept the egg in her study at the Winter Palace. Each of the 50 Imperial Easter Eggs made by Fabergé was unique, its design and execution of the highest possible standard using the finest raw materials. The bouquet of wild spring flowers would have particularly appealed to Tsarina Alexandra, who owned several of Fabergé’s flower studies.

The Peacock Egg features a transparent egg, placed horizontally, both its halves carved from rock crystal, each set into a heavy mount with a clasp. One half is inscribed with the monogram of Maria Fedorovna, the other with the year 1908. Inside, a peacock in multi-color enamel is poised amid the branches of a golden tree, strewn with flowers of precious stones and enamel. The mechanical bird can turn its head and spread its tailfeathers.