The name of Carl Fabergé is inextricably linked with the Easter eggs he created for the Russian imperial family. But behind the outward luxury lay not only precious surprises but also real mysteries: secret mechanisms, hidden portraits, family messages, and even treasures that are still sought after today. The First Egg and the Birth of a Tradition The tradition began in 1885 when Emperor Alexander III ordered an Easter gift for his wife, Maria Feodorovna. The first egg, known as \"The Hen,\" looked like an ordinary white egg coated with matte enamel, imitating the shell from the outside. Inside was a golden \"yolk,\" inside which was a golden hen. But that was not all: inside the hen was a miniature imperial crown made of diamonds and a chain with a ruby pendant. The idea referred to a similar ornament that Maria Feodorovna was already familiar with from the Danish royal house. The empress liked the gift so much that the order turned into an annual tradition that continued under Nicholas II. Love Confessions Hidden in Flowers The Fabergé eggs often served as personal messages. In 1895, Nicholas II gave his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, an egg called \"The Rose Bud,\" created shortly after their wedding. Inside was a rose whose petals opened when pressed, revealing a tiny imperial crown. It was both an admission of love and a hint at the future coronation. Three years later, the emperor gave \"Lilies\" — Alexandra's favorite flowers, made of pearls and precious metals. When the pivot was turned from the top of the egg, three portraits rose: Nicholas and their daughters Olga and Tatiana. Instead of the expected ornament, the faces of the closest people appeared. The \"Coronation\" Egg and the Miniature Carriage In 1897, Nicholas II reminded his wife of the coronation ceremony that had taken place the previous year. Inside the \"Coronation\" egg, he hid an exact copy of the carriage in which Alexandra Feodorovna entered Moscow. Master George Stein even reproduce ... Read more