Rectangular box, hinged, gold, yellow sunburst guilloché and white enamel, lid with green enamel scroll leaf and rose diamond border, Romanov double headed gold eagle set in rose diamond circular frame, rose diamond thumbpiece, plain interior.

The hierarchy of official gifts presented by the Tsar of Russia was strictly organised according to the intended recipient’s ranking in society. The table of ranks had been established in 1722 during the reign of Peter the Great and continued to be used throughout Tsar Nicholas II’s period of rule. Gifts given by the Tsar ranged from orders, decorations and medals to brooches, tie-pins and gold boxes, which had a long tradition as official presentation gifts. The lid of this box, in yellow guilloché enamel in a sunburst design, displays the Romanov double-headed eagle in gold, enamel and diamonds. It was purchased by the Maharaja of Bikanir from Wartski on 15 May 1937 at a cost of £95 and given to Queen Mary for her birthday, 26 May, in the same year. The Maharaja, a friend of the Queen, shared her enthusiasm for Fabergé’s work. On 30 May 1935 Queen Mary wrote in her diary: ‘The Maharaja of Bikanir came to luncheon with me – we went to see the exn of all kinds of Russian things in Belgrave Square…– a very interesting exhibition.’

Mark of Michael Perchin; gold mark of 72 zolotniks (before 1896); Fabergé in Cyrillic characters

Text adapted from Fabergé in the Royal Collection