|
|
| Name | Red Cross Egg with Imperial Portraits |  
|
| Date | 1915 |
| Provenance | Presented by Nicholas II to Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna |
| Made in | St. Petersburg |
| Work-master | Henrik Wigström |
| Marks | Faberge 1915, H.W., assay mark of St. Petersburg |
| Materials | gold, silver, enamel, mother of pearl, ivory, diamonds, rock cristal, pearl |
| Dimensions | height 3" x 2"3/8 (7,7 x 6 cm) |
| Techniques | guilloche, ronde bosse, enamel, watercolor |
| Kept in | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond - Pratt Collection |
|
 When World War I broke out in 1914, the trouble that had loomed at the edge of the Romanov's awareness began to penetrate the protective shell of imperial privilege. In response to the suffering of their people, and in an attempt to present an image of patriotism and concerned involvement, Alexandra enrolled herself and her older daughters in nurses' training and had the palaces converted into provisional hospitals to care for the increasing number of wounded.
Meanwhile, the Czar spent more and more time at the front with his armies. Alexandra wrote daily to her husband:
20 November 1914. "This morning we were present (I help as always giving the instruments and Olga threaded the needles) at our first big amputation. Whole leg was cut off. I washed and cleaned and bandaged all up."
25 November 1915. "During an operation a soldier died. Olga and Tatiana behaved well; none lost their heads and the girls were brave. They had never seen death. But he died in a minute. How near death always is."
At that time, there was great hope that Russia would yet prevail in the war, and Fabergé was asked to continue the tradition of Imperial Easter eggs. But to match the solemn mood of the nation and reflect the noble efforts of the family, Fabergé wisely altered the tone of the Easter gifts that year.
 Inside the Red Cross egg given to the Dowager Empress Maria, are portraits of the Romanov women dressed as Sisters of Mercy. Inscribed inside are the words, "Greater Love hath no man than this, to lay down his life for his friends."
Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the Tsar's sister, Grand Duchess Olga Nicholaievna, his eldest daughter, Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna, Grand Duchess Tatiana Nicholaievna, the Tsar's second daughter, and Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna, the Tsar's first cousin.
A photograph taken during the First World War, of Tsarina Alexandra and the Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana in their nurses' uniforms.
from: http://www.mieks.com/Faberge2/Eggs.htm
   |
|
