About the Piece

Modeled as a two-part oviform box in cloisonné enameled sterling silver; the box breaking one-third of the way up from the egg's base. The outer body cloisonné enameled in the Old Russian style in an overall pattern of interlaced turquoise strapwork enframing upright navette-form reserves centered by foliate scrolls and stylized flowerheads in rose, yellow, pale blue, lime green, ochre and lavender. Each of the two sections of the box set with six equidistant garnet cabochons surrounding a larger garnet cabochon at the apex of each section. The interior of the box is gilded.

Markings on the interior flange of the lower section of the box: Double-headed eagle; P. Ovchinnikov, in Cyrillic, within a Narrow oblong punch; kokoshnik head, all generally abraded from the repeated opening and closing of the box.

Markings on the interior of the upper section of the box: Markings are also on the interior of the upper section. See detail photograph below.