Supported on its side by three scrolled feet, this Rocaille Egg is adorned with gold rococo cartouches, platinum flowers set with diamonds and varicolored gold palms, also set with diamonds.
Within the Egg a gold tripod is surmounted by an engraved heart enameled translucent rose showing on one side the diamond set initials B.K. (Barbara kelch) and on the other side the year "1902"The miniatures originally contained in the three frames are now missing.
The Rocaille Egg was not seen publicly for more dan 30 years. It was offered for sale in London in june 1995 but did not sell. The surprise of this Egg is very similar to the pedestal with miniatures which may have been the surprise for the missing 1897 Mauve Egg with miniatures, made for the Dowager Empress, Maria Fyodorovna.
1920 One of the six Egg sold by Morgan to A La Vieille Russie, Paris. 1940's sold by A La Vieille Russie, New York. 1949-1958 owned by Jack & Belle Linsky, New York. 1958 bought by A La Vieille Russie, New York. 1962-1997 Private Collection United States. 1997 private sale arranged by dealer Proler of Dallas to a US buyer.
from: http://www.mieks.com/Faberge2/Eggs.htm
