Yacht "Standart" Egg

The "Standart" Yacht egg is a jewelled Easter egg made by master Heinrich Wigstrom under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé in 1909 for Tsar Nicholas II of Russia /purchase price 12,400 rubles/. It was presented by Nicolas II as an Easter gift to his wife, the Czarina Alexandra Fyodorovna.

Gold, diamonds, rose-cut diamonds, pearls, rock crystal, lapis lazuli, silver.
Height 15.30 cm; base size 10.0 x 8.4 cm.

Collection of Moscow Kremlin Museums.

 

The "Standart" Yacht Leaf Egg is a transparent hollowed-out rock crystal egg, mounted horizontally, with a gold band with inlaid leaves of green enamel and small diamonds marking the separation point between upper and lower halves, which bears the inscription "Standart 1909". A crowned lapis lazuli eagle is perched on either side of the egg and a large pear-shaped pearl hangs from each. The shaft consists of two lapis lazuli dolphins with intertwined tails. It is on an ornate stand with classical overtones, made from gold, pearls, and enamel.

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The surprise is a golden replica of the Imperial Yacht, the "Standart" Yacht, made of gold and platinum, and coated in vitreous enamel. The model rests on a carved bed of crystal representing the ocean, but can be removed from the egg.​

The 5,500 ton "Standart" was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III in Copenhagen. It was launched in 1895 and was 116 meters long, which made it the largest yacht in the world at that time. Outfitted with ornate fixtures, including mahogany paneling, crystal chandeliers, and other amenities (including a stable with a cow to provide the imperial children with fresh milk) it was a floating palace for the Russian Imperial Family for their vacations in the Baltic Sea. The Russian Imperial Family was vacationing on the "Standart" during the summer of 1914, when they received the news of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, in Sarajevo, marking the start of World War I.​