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The Imperial Tsarevich Easter Egg, made in 1912, features a lapis lazuli exterior covered in carved gold scrolls, flower baskets and double-headed eagles, as well as gold, diamonds, silver, platinum, watercolor on ivory and rock crystal. The egg was a gift from Nicholas II to his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and opens to reveal a portrait of their only son, Alexei Nikolaevich. Fabergé firm (Russian, 1842-1917), Vasilii Zuiev (Russian, 1870-after 1931) painter, Henrik Wigstrom (Finnish, 1862-1923) workmaster. ©Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt, 47.20.34

Magnificent Obsession

How one woman’s love of Russian art gave Richmond exclusive masterpieces

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