July 24, 2012 |
Qu’est-ce que c’est? Why, it’s an egg, of course. A Fabergé egg that rather resembles Cinderella’s carriage after it was turned from pumpkin to pimped-out wheels as sseen in the Disney version. It’s the leaves that cascade down into the curved legs that remind us of the pumpkin’s leaves as they rush along the ground, curling up into wheels as soon as Cinderella’s fairy godmother points her wand at them. It’s known as Lilies of the Valley and was created in 1898. When you twist the gold-mounted pearl button, the diamond crown rises to reveal three portraits, all painted on ivory and mounted on gold panels framed by rose diamonds. It’s kind of like the ultimate locket.
The first Fabergé egg was created at the request of Tsar Alexander III in 1885 as an Easter gift for his wife, the Empress Maria. Crafted from gold and enamelled in white, the shell opened to reveal a matt gold yolk suspended within. The yolk then opened to reveal a gold multicoloured hen, which in turn opened to reveal a miniature replica of the imperial crown, crafted from diamonds and from which was suspended a small ruby pendant. We like to think of it as the precursor to the Russian doll, the first set not being created until 1890, and the inspiration behind what may be the greatest candy treat known to mankind, the Kinder Surprise. Though, thinking about it, they need to work on their surprises. Where are the golden hens laying ruby pendants? Why have they been replaced with plastic tractors?
by Natalie Dembinska
