Peter the Great (Fabergé egg)

The Peter the Great egg is a jeweled Fabergé egg made under the supervision of Peter Carl Fabergé in 1903 for Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, who presented it to his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. It is one of the Imperial Fabergé eggs, and commemorates the bicentennial of the founding of Saint Petersburg by Peter the Great.

The egg is crafted from red gold, platinum, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and enamel. The exterior is divided into panels representing achievements of Peter the Great’s reign, decorated with guilloché enamel and Imperial double-headed eagles. These panels are further ornamented with miniatures depicting various aspects of Peter the Great's reign, including architectural achievements and military victories. The miniatures were painted by Vasilii Zuiev.

The egg originally contained a surprise, a miniature replica of Peter the Great riding a bronze horse, atop a pedestal. This replica was made of gold and platinum. The location of the surprise is currently unknown.

The Peter the Great egg is notable for its historical significance and the craftsmanship involved in its creation. It stands as a testament to the artistry of Fabergé and the opulence of the Russian Imperial court. It is currently held as part of the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection and on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.