Incredible Fabergé 'Mosaic' Egg Goes On Display As Part Of Royal Celebration

By: Kelly York

One of the world's most famous and incredible Fabergé jeweled eggs is set to go on display this Friday in Scotland's Palace of Holyroodhouse. The exhibition, which includes the spectacular Mosaic Imperial Easter Egg, along with 100 other items from the British Royal Collection, will continue until November. Of all the items on display in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, marking the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne, the Mosaic egg created in 1914 under the supervision of master jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé is the one that forced us do a double take. Take a look at the incredible detail of this masterwork handcrafted in yellow gold and platinum by Albert Holmström. Among the thousands of precious stones featured in this piece are brilliant-cut diamonds, rose-cut diamonds, rubies, emeralds, topazes, sapphires, garnets, half pearls and moonstones. The design mimics the look of petit point tapestry work. At the apex of the egg is a translucent moonstone through which one can see the year 1914 and Russian Empress Alexandra's initials in Russian characters. At first glance, one would think that the egg had to be the size of cantaloupe or larger, but believe it or not, the Mosaic Imperial Easter Egg is only 3 3/4 inches tall. The egg was an Easter gift from Tsar Nicolas II to Tsarina Alexandra in 1914 and was confiscated during the Russian Revolution in 1917 before being purchased by King George V in 1933, probably for Queen Mary’s birthday. It turns out that the British Royal Family is among the world's greatest collectors of Fabergé and has been for generations. Fabergé jeweled eggs were produced by the House of Fabergé from 1885 to 1917. Of the thousands produced, most were miniature (about 1/2-inch tall). Only 50 larger ones like the Mosaic Imperial Easter Egg were ever produced, and reportedly only 42 remain. Visit Ben David Jewelers on Facebook Visit BenDavidJewelers.com