A Russian porcelain First World War presentation egg 1914-17

A Russian porcelain First World War presentation egg 1914-17, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, decorated with the gilt monogram of Empress Alexandra Fedorovna beneath the Imperial crown, the reverse with a small red cross, with a black suspension ribbon, and a wartime gilt metal pendant bearing the same monogram beneath a red enamel cross, the egg 6.5cm. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of Dr Venetia Newall.

Eggs of this type were given by the Tsarina and her daughters to wounded soldiers during the war. The Romanovs were patrons of the Red Cross and allowed part of the Winter Palace to become a military hospital. Alexandra herself served as a nurse.