Fabergé Egg
–
the “Memory of Azov Egg”, from 1891
The
egg has been cut out of a solid piece of heliotrope jasper, also known
as bloodstone. It has then been decorated with gold and brilliants in a
rococo pattern. The inside is lined with green velvet, and when you open
it, the surprise is revealed as
a
miniature replica of the Imperial Russian Navy cruiser “Pamiat Azova”
(“The Memory of Azova”). This tiny ship has been constructed with
platinum and red and yellow gold, with small diamonds for windows. The
name “Azov” even appears on the ship’s stern.
The Pamiat Azova itself, was built for the Imperial Russian Navy in the
late 1880s. In 1909 she was taken from front line service and converted
into a depot ship. During the Russian Civil war she then sunk by British
torpedo boats.
