Until this moment, the most expensive Fabergé egg was considered to be the "Rothschild Egg," which was sold for $18.5 million in 2007 at the same auction.
This egg is made of rock crystal, and its interior is decorated with exquisite engraving reminiscent of frost. On the outside, it is adorned with platinum snowflakes.
The hinge, hidden in a band of platinum, is adorned with diamonds and topped with a cabochon moonstone, on which the date "1913" is engraved.
Photo: christies.com.
The egg is set on a base made of rock crystal, designed to resemble melting ice fragments.
Photo: christies.com.
Upon opening the egg, a two-handled woven basket made of platinum appears, suspended from a platinum hook, encrusted with diamonds and filled with intricately carved anemones made of white quartz. Each flower has a golden stem and stamens, with a demantoid garnet at the center. The leaves are made of jade, and the bottom of the basket is engraved with "FABERGÉ 1913."
The height of the egg is 14.2 cm, while the basket measures 8.2 cm.
It is known that the "Winter Egg" was commissioned by Nicholas II as an Easter gift for his mother, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.
Photo: christies.com.
