Treasures Of Imperial Russia

Few things better encapsulate the beauty and inequality of Imperial Russia than the 61 bejeweled eggs Peter Carl Fabergé made. These eggs have been the subject of heists in Ocean's Twelve, Octopussy, and real life. Here are 20 of the most beautiful treasures of the Romanovs.

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1. Lilies Of The Valley Egg

Starting off strong with one of only a couple Art Nouveau eggs, the Lilies of the Valley egg makes excellent use of pearls in place of its flowers. The rose pink enamel is the perfect accent. Each egg came with a surprise, and this one included portraits of the two eldest Romanov sisters, Olga and Tatiana.

Pedro Szekely on Wikimedia

2. Rock Crystal Egg

This egg was presented to Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Alexandra, the year that they ascended to the throne. As the couple were only a few years into their marriage, the surprise of this egg is a sentimental touch: a series of rotating paintings depicting some of Alexandra's favorite places. Though, it isn't much of a surprise if the egg is clear!

Hemant Bedekar on Wikimedia

3. Trans-Siberian Railway Egg

Connecting European Russia with the Far East, the Trans-Siberian Railway was one of the Romanovs' greatest achievements. Not only does this egg have an engraved map of the railway on the outside, it has a miniature steam train cast in gold and platinum inside. The best part is that the train actually ran!

Sergey Korneev on Wikimedia

4. Basket Of Flowers Egg

While decorating eggs is a classic Easter tradition, Fabergé took things to the next level with this Easter egg. Lilies are a classic symbol of Easter, so it's no surprise that they're used here alongside orange blossom, morning glory, and daisies. This is a rare egg without a surprise, and historians aren't sure whether it ever had one.

Jafd88 on Wikimedia

5. Clover Leaf Egg

Decorated with clovers, this egg is too fragile to travel outside the Kremlin. This is another egg without a surprise, but that's because it was lost. Portraits of the Tsar's daughters were originally included.

greenacre8 on Wikimedia

6. Gatchina Palace Egg

Built for Catherine the Great by her lover, Gatchina Palace was the favored residence of the Empress Dowager. This egg is stunning on its own, but the golden miniature of Gatchina Palace makes it one of the best. It's just too bad that Fabergé didn't include the palace's experimental monorail. 

House of Fabergé / Peter Carl Fabergé on Wikimedia

7. Renaissance Egg

Part of the reason why this egg is horizontal rather than vertical is because it's based on a casket! Not the cheeriest sources of inspiration, but it's only fitting for Easter. There's a bit of a mystery about this egg: while officially lost, some believe that the Resurrection Egg is actually the surprise, as it fits perfectly inside!

Ninara from Helsinki, Finland on Wikimedia

8. Rosebud Egg

This egg has one of the sweetest origin stories. Empress Alexandra grew up in Germany, where yellow roses were particularly valued. Knowing how much she missed her rose garden at home, Nicholas commissioned this egg for their first Easter together.

Михаил Овчинников on Wikimedia

9. Steel Military Egg

One of the last eggs made before the Revolution, this egg is unlike any other. Meant to inspire the Tsar during the Great War, this egg speaks to Russia's military might and resources. While some consider this egg bland or kitsch, we think it's one of the most memorable.

Shakko on Wikimedia

10. Swan Egg

Purple isn't used much in Fabergé eggs, which makes the mauve swan egg all the more eye-catching. The swan inside comes seated on a lake of aquamarine and, like the Trans-Siberian Railway surprise, actually moves. Swans are a symbol of marriage and family life in Russia as they mate for life.

Gryffindor on Wikimedia

11. Mosaic Egg

The Mosaic Egg is a stunning example of the craftsmanship that went into these eggs. This egg uses a blend of diamonds and other precious stones to mimic the look of tapestry stitches! The surprise inside is a pink cameo of the Romanov children.

Jafd88 on Wikimedia

12. Blue Serpent Clock Egg

Melding form and function, this egg is actually a functional clock. The band of numbers around the outside of the egg rotates so that the snake below points to the hour. After the Russian Revolution, this egg found a home with a new royal family in Monaco.

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13. Constellation Egg

This egg was never finished due to the Revolution, but based on what Fabergé left behind, we can only guess how beautiful it might have been. The concept of this egg was a clock made of dark blue glass above clouds and cherubs. The blue globe was supposed to be engraved with the night sky the day Tsarevitch Alexei was born. Unfortunately, this egg's progress, like Alexei's life, was cut short.

shakko on Wikimedia

14. Winter Egg

Everything about the Winter Egg is stunning, from the frosted snowflakes to the diamond ice crystals.The best Fabergé eggs tell a story, and the way that this egg opens to reveal the anemones inside suggests that spring will be back soon. As a bonus, this is one of the few eggs designed by a woman, Alma Pihl!

Victor Mayer GmbH & Co KG Pforzheim, Germany on Wikimedia

15. Bay Tree Egg

Also known as the Orange Tree egg, this egg offers the suggestion of an egg rather than an egg itself. From within the glittering nephrite leaves emerges a tiny songbird. Not only does the songbird flap its wings and turn its head, it also sings!

Ninara from Helsinki, Finland on Wikimedia

16. Colonnade Egg

Probably the grandest of all the eggs, the Colonnade Egg is a Bowenite temple of love for Nicholas and Alexandra. Being a clock egg, this egg has no surprise inside. This egg, along with several others, belongs to the British royal family.

Jafd88 on Wikimedia

17. Imperial Coronation Egg

The Imperial Coronation Egg is the most famous egg as far as cinematic appearances go. This egg has a unique lime-y yellow color chosen to resemble imperial cloth-of-gold. While scope can be difficult to discern from pictures, the replica coach is less than 4 inches long!

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18. Catherine The Great Egg

Cast in honor of Russia's most infamous empress, this pink enameled egg features cameo panels and a claw-foot stand. The surprise, while lost, must have been stunning. Like several other surprises, it was an automaton of Catherine the Great being carried by two servants.

ctj71081 on Wikimedia

19. Diamond Trellis Egg

If you live in the South, you won't have to travel far to see this egg as it is on display in Houston. One of the most delicate examples of Fabergé craftsmanship, this egg features delicate bands of criss-crossing diamonds. The surprise, a wind-up ivory elephant, was rediscovered in 2015 after being lost for many years.

Randall Pugh from Houston, United States on Wikimedia

20. Memory Of Azov Egg

Commemorating a voyage Tsar Nicholas took with his brother, this egg uses jasper and velvet to evoke the sea of Azov. The ship inside is a replica of the Pamiat Azov. This egg was never an imperial favorite.

Stan Shebs on Wikimedia