Automaton Indian elephant of silver with cabochon ruby eyes, ivory tusks, white enamel mahout carrying elephant hook seated on rose diamond and yellow gold rug with green and white enamel. On release of lever: walks, swings head and trunk, tail articulates. With holly wood box and winding key.

Fabergé produced a number of automata, often as the surprises within his Imperial Easter Eggs. When the key-wound mechanism is released the elephant walks, swinging its head and trunk; the tail is also articulated. According to a note kept in the original silk-velvet lined Fabergé box, this elephant was presented to King George V by his family for Christmas in 1929.

Text adapted from Fabergé in the Royal Collection