Ruby or Pink Sapphire Surprise from the Lapis Lazuli Easter Egg

c. 1885–90

Ruby or Pink Sapphire Surprise from the Lapis Lazuli Easter Egg, c. 1885–90. Attributed to Peter Carl Fabergé (Russian, 1846–1920), attributed to House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918). Gold, enamel, lapis lazuli, pearls, diamonds, rubies; The Cleveland Museum of Art, The India Early Minshall Collection 1966.436.c This Easter egg, like the subsequent ones produced by Fabergé for the imperial family, contains a surprise when opened. In this case, the egg opens to display a yellow enameled cover, resembling an egg yolk, which then opens to reveal a tiny replica of the Russian imperial crown, containing either a ruby or a pink sapphire suspended on a chain. This tiny ruby or pink sapphire dangles from a diamond encrusted crown surprise, which is a replica of the Russian imperial crown made for Empress Catherine the Great in the 1700s.