Celebrating the 140th Anniversary of The Hen Egg (1885)
This month we’re celebrating 140 years since Peter Carl Fabergé started a life-changing legacy when he created his first Easter egg for the Romanov Family.
The series of Fabergé Imperial eggs began in 1885 when Emperor Alexander III commissioned The Hen Egg from Fabergé as an Easter present for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna.
The Hen Egg (1885) - Images courtesy of The Forbes Collection
Inspired by an 18th century original, the Hen Egg had an opaque white enamelled outer ‘shell’, opening with a twist to reveal a first surprise - a matte yellow gold yolk. This yolk contained an enamelled chased gold hen that held a replica of the Imperial Crown with a precious ruby pendant within.
The Hen Egg (1885) - Images courtesy of The Forbes Collection
It’s no surprise that eggs remain part of our DNA over a century later, with playful and colourful creations which continue to enchant, just as they did 140 years ago.
