Fabby Faberge

One of the most striking exhibits in the Queen's Gallery is this mosaic egg, made by Carl Faberge 1914.

Made for Russian Imperial family between 1885-1917, the design based on petit-point embroidery using gold, platinum, enamel, diamonds, rubies, demantoid garnets, topaz, quartz, sapphires, emeralds, moonstones and pearls, arranged on a platinum mesh.

The egg contained a portrait of the 5 children of Tzar Nicholas II and Tzarina Alexandra.

Purchased by George V and presented to Queen Mary 1933, it was inherited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.