Fabergé Workmaster Silver-Gilt & Plique-à-Jour Easter Egg / Travelling Egg Cups
Workmaster: Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin (1860–1903)
Imperial Russia, late XIX century - very early XX centuryStamped with “М.П.” in Cyrillic, 88 zolotnik silver standard & kokoshnik
An exceptionally rare and technically accomplished
Russian metamorphic silver-gilt and plique-à-jour enamel Easter egg
by chief Fabergé workmaster Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin
(М. П. - Михаил Перхин in Cyrillic)
ingeniously constructed to transform into a pair of travelling egg cups.
The two individual vessels fit together, their feet concealed within,
to create a single richly ornamented ovoid form —
an inspired marriage of practicality, Easter symbolism and the playful ingenuity
for which the House of Fabergé became internationally celebrated.
The ovoid body is exquisitely enamelled with arched panels,
scrolling foliage and stylised floral motifs in jewel-like shades of cobalt
and turquoise blue, green, red, purple and pink.
Applied silver cables and delicate architectural borders articulate the individual enamelled sections,
while each half terminates in a knopped spreading foot.
When separated, the interior construction allows the two halves to be converted into
individual goblet-like egg cups, revealing the sophisticated engineering concealed within the decorative exterior.
It is struck with the historic 88-zolotnik standard,
equivalent to approximately .916 silver, and, most significantly,
bears the Cyrillic workmaster's initials “М.П.” on multiple components.
Approx. total weight: 228gr.
Diameter: 74mm
Total height: 18.5cm
