Royal Commission Trivia Quiz

Answer: Yellow

This is an old black and white photo of the Rosebud egg, complete with its original surprises. Made in 1895, this was a gift from Tsar Nicholas II to his beloved wife Alexandra. Inside of this bejeweled, red enamel egg was a miniature crown signifying her new position as Tsarina, a cabochon ruby pendant, and an enameled yellow rose.

While in many countries a yellow rose indicates friendship, in Germany, at the time, yellow was regarded as the noblest and worthiest color for a rose. This was the first egg presented to Alexandra by Nicholas.

Answer: True

Made in 1909, the Alexander III Commemorative egg is known from this 1917 auction photo. It is one of seven Imperial eggs that are still missing. Of the seven that are missing, only two were ever photographed. The surprise inside the egg was believed to be a gold miniature of Alexander III, and is one of four that were made to commemorate Faberge's royal partisan.

Answer: His mother

Made in 1901, the Gatchina Palace Egg was an Easter gift from Tsar Nicholas II to his mother, the dowager empress Maria Feodorovna. This lovely enameled egg was decorated with gold, diamonds, rock crystal and seed pearls. When the egg is opened the egg reveals a miniature replica of the Gatchina Palace which had been his mother's primary residence outside of St. Petersburg.

It is so very meticulously done that the details of flags, cannons, trees, and garden areas can be seen.

Answer: It disappeared after the Russian Revolution

The Danish Jubilee egg is one of the seven lost Faberge eggs and is known of only by this photo. It was made in 1903 as a gift from Tsar Nicholas II for his mother the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, who had been a Danish Princess before she married his father, Alexander III of Russia. On top was the Danish Royal Elephant and the supporting stand depicted three Danish heraldic lions.

The egg was light blue and cream, but an exact description is not known. The egg had two miniatures of her parents, King Christian IX and Queen Louise. One of the largest of Faberge's eggs, this beautiful piece disappeared after the Russian Revolution and its whereabouts are unknown.

Answer: The Rose Trellis egg

On April 22, 1907, Tsar Nicholas II presented the lovely Rose Trellis egg to his wife to commemorate the birth of their son three years earlier. It is made of green, pink, and white enamel with a crème satin lining and rows of diamonds. The reason for the delay was that no eggs had been produced for three years due to the Russo-Japanese War.

The egg contained a beautiful diamond necklace which has since disappeared and there are no known photos of it.

Answer: A singing bird

The Bay Tree egg was given by Tsar Nicholas to his mother, the Dowager Empress, in 1911. Its base and its lovely leaves are made of carved nephrite and encrusted with jeweled fruit made from rubies, diamonds, and citrines. Hidden among the leaves is a hidden lever.

When it is activated a small hinge at the apex of the tree opens and a small feathered songbird rises up, flaps its wings, turns its head, and then begins singing.

Answer: Platinum

Made of platinum, diamonds, and rock crystal, the Equestrian Egg contains a gold replica of the monument to Tsar Alexander III by Prince Paolo Trubetskoi. The statue rests on a base of lapis lazuli that is bordered by rows of pink diamonds. On the top of the egg is a large diamond that is engraved with the year 1910.

There are two platinum double-headed eagles on the side of the egg, with diamond crowns. Platinum filigree and supporting cherubs helped make this a unique egg.

Answer: Alexis

Tsarevich Alexis was the only son of Tsar Nicholas III and Empress Alexandra. He suffered from hemophilia, which he inherited from his mother. This egg was made in 1912 to commemorate his recovery from a severe hemorrhage which was so bad that he was given last rights. Containing a small portrait of her son, it was said to be Alexandra's most cherished egg. Made of a block of the highest quality lapis lazuli encrusted with rose-cut diamonds, this egg displayed some of the delicate filigree for which Faberge was so very well-known.

Answer: The family yacht

The 1909 Standart Egg was created using a hollowed out rock crystal. This egg lies on it side and is encircled with a gold band with the inscription
"Standart 1909" displayed. Double-headed eagles in lapis lazuli sit at each end of the egg with a large baroque pearl hanging below. This is one of the few Imperial eggs that has never been displayed outside of Russia. It depicts the family's royal yacht, which was known for its luxurious décor. The yacht had thirty rooms, including a stable so that the children could have fresh milk. The word "opulent" is an understatement.

Answer: False

This statement is completely false. Terry Ford is the creator of FunTrivia, but does not own any of the original Faberge eggs. The items in this photo are just a few of the things that may still be ordered from the Faberge workshop, and there are multiple companies that make replicas of these one-of-a-kind works of art, at varying prices.