The copies of the imperial regalia were produced for the World’s Fair held in Paris in 1900 and acquired by Nicholas II soon afterwards. He donated them to the Hermitage, where they are kept to this day. In 1911, a new hall of jewellery was established in the museum, and they were installed there. In 1912, the court jeweller Agafon Fabergé (the son of Carl) produced the following description of the set: “The Large Crown is made with 1,083 brilliants [brilliant-cut diamonds] and 245 unworked rose diamonds. The Small Crown is made with 180 brilliants and 1,024 unworked rose diamonds. The Orb with 65 brilliants and 654 unworked rose diamonds. The Sceptre with 1 brilliant and 125 unworked rose diamonds.”
The crown jewels are mounted on a piece of pink rhodonite in the form of the lower part of a column, encircles at the base by a silvered carved wreath of laurel leaves. The support for the large crown bears an inscription in Russian letters: C. Fabergé. SPb [Saint Petersburg].
Title:
Miniature Copy of the Imperial Regalia
Place of creation:
Manufacture, workshop, firm:
House of Fabergé
Date:
Dimensions:
7,3x5,4 см; 3,8x2,9 cm; 15,8 cm; 6,7x4,2 cm
Acquisition date:
Entered the Hermitage in 1901; a gift from Nicholas II; acquired at the exhbition in Paris in 1900
Inventory Number:
Э-4745
Category:
Collection: