Memory of Azov (Fabergé egg)

1891 Imperial Fabergé egg

Memory of Azov Fabergé egg

Memory of Azov Egg

Year delivered| 1891
Customer| Alexander III
Recipient| Maria Feodorovna
Current owner
Individual or institution| Kremlin Armoury, Moscow
Design and materials
Workmaster| Michael Perkhin and Yuri Nicolai
Materials used| Bloodstone, ruby, diamonds, gold, platinum, aquamarine
Height| 93 millimetres (3.7 in)
Surprise| Replica cruiser Pamiat Azova

The Memory of Azov (or the Azova Egg) is a jewelled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé in 1891 for Tsar Alexander III of Russia. It was presented by Alexander III as an Easter gift to his wife, the Tsarina Maria Feodorovna. It is currently held in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.

## Design

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Carved from a solid piece of heliotrope jasper, also known as bloodstone, the Memory of Azov Egg is decorated in the Louis XV style with a superimposed gold pattern of Rococo scrolls with brilliant diamonds and chased gold flowers. The broad flute gold bezel is set with a drop ruby and two diamonds that complete the clasp. The egg's interior is lined with green velvet.[1]

The design of the piece is based on the egg-shaped bonbonnières in the Rococo style.

## Surprise

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The surprise contained within is a miniature replica of the Imperial Russian Navy cruiser Pamiat Azova (Memory of Azov), executed in red and yellow gold and platinum with small diamonds for windows, set on a piece of aquamarine representing the water. The name "Azov" appears on the ship's stern. The plate has a golden frame with a loop enabling the model to be removed from the egg.[1]

## History

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Further information: Eastern journey of Nicholas II

The egg commemorates the voyage made by Tsarevitch Nicholas and Grand Duke George of Russia aboard the Pamiat Azova to the Far East in 1890. The trip was made after a suggestion by their parents to broaden the outlook of the future Tsar and his brother. At the time, Grand Duke George was suffering from tuberculosis, and the voyage only exacerbated it. Tsarevitch Nicholas was also the victim of an attempted assassination ("Ōtsu incident") whilst in Japan and sustained a serious head wound. Although the Tsarina was presented with the egg before these events occurred, it apparently was never one of her favourite eggs.[1]

## See also

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* Egg decorating

## References

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1. ^ a b c "Mieks Fabergé Eggs". www.wintraecken.nl.

## Further reading

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* Faber, Toby (2008). Faberge's Eggs: The Extraordinary Story of the Masterpieces That Outlived an Empire. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4000-6550-9.
* Forbes, Christopher; Prinz von Hohenzollern, Johann Georg (1990). FABERGE; The Imperial Eggs. Prestel. ASIN B000YA9GOM.
* Lowes, Will (2001). Fabergé Eggs: A Retrospective Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-3946-6.
* Snowman, A Kenneth (1988). Carl Faberge: Goldsmith to the Imperial Court of Russia. Gramercy. ISBN 0-517-40502-4.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Memory of Azov (Fabergé egg).

* Description at wintraecken.nl

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Fabergé eggs

Imperial Easter eggs
(1885–1917)|

* First Hen
* also known as Jeweled Hen
* Hen with Sapphire Pendant
* also known as Egg with Hen in Basket
* Third Imperial
* Cherub with Chariot
* also known as Angel with Egg in Chariot
* Nécessaire
* Danish Palaces
* Memory of Azov
* Diamond Trellis
* Caucasus
* Renaissance
* Rosebud
* Blue Serpent Clock
* Twelve Monograms
* also known as Alexander III Portraits
* Rock Crystal
* also known as Revolving Miniatures
* Imperial Coronation
* Mauve
* Lilies-of-the-Valley
* Pelican
* also known as Dowager
* Bouquet of Lilies Clock
* also known as Madonna Lily Clock
* Pansy
* also known as Spinach Jade
* Trans-Siberian Railway
* Cockerel
* also known as Cuckoo Clock
* Basket of Flowers
* Gatchina Palace
* Clover Leaf
* Empire Nephrite
* Peter the Great
* Royal Danish
* also known as Danish Jubilee
* Moscow Kremlin
* also known as Uspenski Cathedral
* Swan
* Rose Trellis
* Cradle with Garlands
* also known as Love Trophies
* Alexander Palace
* Peacock
* Standart Yacht
* Alexander III Commemorative
* Colonnade
* Alexander III Equestrian
* Fifteenth Anniversary
* Bay Tree
* also known as Orange Tree
* Tsarevich
* Napoleonic
* Romanov Tercentenary
* Winter
* Mosaic
* Catherine the Great
* also known as Grisaille or Pink Cameo
* Red Cross with Triptych
* Red Cross with Imperial Portraits
* Steel Military
* Order of St. George
* Karelian Birch
* Constellation

Kelch eggs
(1898–1904)|

* Hen
* Twelve Panel
* Pine Cone
* Apple Blossom
* also known as Jade Chest
* Rocaille
* Bonbonnière
* Chanticleer

Other Fabergé eggs|

* Blue Striped Enamel [ru]
* Clock [hy]
* Duchess of Marlborough
* also known as Pink Serpent
* Gorbachev Peace
* Lapis Lazuli
* Nobel's Ice Egg
* Resurrection
* Rose Quartz
* Rothschild
* Scandinavian
* also known as Quisling
* Spring Flowers
* Twilight [ru]
* Youssoupov [ru]

Fabergé workmasters|

* August Wilhelm Holmström
* Michael Perkhin
* Alma Pihl
* Henrik Wigström
* Victor Mayer

Related|

* Peter Carl Fabergé
* House of Fabergé
* Fabergé Museum (Baden-Baden)
* Fabergé Museum (Saint Petersburg)

55°44′58.25″N 37°36′47.90″E﻿ / ﻿55.7495139°N 37.6133056°E﻿ / 55.7495139; 37.6133056
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