Not an Imperial Egg but certainly one of the most beautiful Eggs ever made by Fabergé, this Egg was made for Varvara Bazenov Kelkh, the daughter of a major industrialist who owned diamond mines, shipping lines, gold mines, railways and other companies in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

The Kelkh family was the only family that collected Eggs in quantity other than the Tsars and their families. The Kelkhs commissioned 7 Easter Eggs from Fabergé and the Pine Cone Egg was one of them. The Pine Cone is made of a deep blue translucent enamel over a guilloché ground that gives enormous life to the rich blue. It is almost as though the piece is back lighted from within.

Layered over the enamel are discs that suggest overlap and all the discs are bordered in diamonds. At the apex of the Egg there are four larger stones. Inside the Egg is lined in eggshell velvet and resting in it is - The Surprise! A tiny but perfect elephant made of metal. He has a large stone set just above his trunk and is dressed in a howdah of brilliant red enamel guilloché that is set with several larger diamonds.

Astride the howdah is the mahout holding his prod.The howdah removes to reveal a hidden miniature of the Egg on a delicate gold chain. The original Surprise was mechanized and came with a gold key. When wound the elephant walked with a swaying motion and moved his trunk. The Egg stands on a tripod of gold plated sterling silver that cradles it.

Retail: $2500.00. Our price: $2249.90. In my opinion one of the most beautiful Eggs that was made. Fanciful and a perfect confection!