Description
The Duchess of Marlborough egg (also known as the Pink Serpent egg) is a jewelled enameled Easter egg made by Michael Perchin in 1902. This is the only large Easter egg to have been commissioned from Fabergé by an American, is inspired by a Louis XVI clock with revolving dial. The workshop of Michael Perchin created several versions of this model, of which the best known is the blue enamel Serpent Clock egg traditionally dated 1887 and thought to have been presented by Tsar Alexander III to his wife Tsarina Maria Feodorovna.
As attested by the diamond-set initials CM under a ducal crown, the egg was made for Consuelo Marlborough, granddaughter of the American railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who was married off against her will to Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, in 1894. In 1902, prior to the coronation of Edward VII at which she had been asked by Queen Alexandra to be a canopy bearer, the Duchess travelled to Russia with her husband. She also visited the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna at Anichkov Palace and must have seen her Fabergé collection, which probably served as model for the egg which she ordered from Fabergé.
After her divorce from Marlborough, Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan donated the egg to a charity auction in 1926. The Duchness of Marlborough Egg, contains some characteristic features of the Fabergé's Neo-Classical style. It can be seen especially in the design of the triangular pedestal, the fluted base of the egg and his use of acanthus foliage, husks, laurel wreaths and flower swags, all derived from Classical Antiquity.
Obverse
At the bottom - open Spring Flowers Egg (1899-1903) with a miniature basket of wood anemones inside. Above - the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the mint’s mark (m/w) and the inscription “ELIZABETH II” below. Around the Queen’s effigy - decorative neo rococo scroll ornament. At the top - the issuer’s name: NIUE ISLAND. On the right - a nominal value of the coin (100 dollars), on the left - year of issue (2012).
Reverse
At the top - a semicircular inscription: IMPERIAL FABERGÉ EGGS. In the centre - a stylized image of the upper part of The Duchess of Marlborough Egg. The snake at the bottom part has a polished finish, as well as the pearls surrounding the egg, which emphasize the splendour of this piece of art.
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