For a long time it was assumed that this beautiful Egg was one of the Imperial Easter Eggs. Research however, proved that there is no place for this Egg in the series of Imperial Easter Eggs. The Egg has no visible Fabergé markings. The first owner of egg is unknown.

The Lapislazzuli Egg is very similar to the 1898 Kelch Hen Egg. Knowing the covenant between the Tsar and Fabergé that no Imperial Easter Egg was to be repeated, the Lapislazuli Egg cannot be a Tsar Imperial Egg. The surprise is a diamond crown and a ruby pendant.

Not much is known about the backgrounds of this Egg. Maybe it was made for one of the other members of the Imperial Family and maybe the future shall place this Egg in the category "Imperial Eggs" like the Resurrection Egg and the Spring Flowers Egg.

In what year India Early Minshall acquired this Egg is not known. In the 1930's there were five major American Fabergé collectors, of which India Early Minshall was one. She acquired this Lapislazuli Egg and the 1915 Tsar Imperial Red Cross Triptych Egg.

excerpts and pictures from: http://www.mieks.com/Faberge2/Eggs.htm