Description
In the original this art-nouveau style egg is enameled translucent rose on a guilloche field and supported on four dull green-gold cabriolet legs, composed of overlapping leaves veined in rose-cut diamonds. The egg is surmounted by a rose-cut diamond and cabochon ruby Imperial crown set, with two bows and quartered by four lines of rose-cut diamonds and decorated with lilies of the valley in pearls and rose-cut diamonds. The stalks are lightly engraved green gold, and the leaves are enameled translucent green on gold.
The surprise consists of three oval miniatures of Nicholas II in military uniform and the Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana, his first two children.
This egg was the companion piece to the “Coronation Egg” in the 1979 sale by Wartski of London for $2,160,000 to Forbes Magazine Collection, New York. In 2004 both eggs sold privately for an undisclosed sum to Viktor Vekselberg, Moscow, and have returned to their country of origin.
Obverse
At the bottom - open Spring Flowers Egg (1899-1903) with a miniature basket of wood anemones inside. Above - Niue Island’s Coat of Arms with the inscription “Elizabeth II” below. Around the head - decorative neorococo scroll ornament. At the top - issuer’s name: Niue Island. On the right - a nominal value of the coin, 100 dollars, on the left - year of issue: 2011.
Reverse
In the center - the image of “Lily of the Valley Egg”. On the left side of egg, inscription “Imperial”. On the right side of egg, inscription- “Fabergé Eggs”.
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