Basic Egg Form

• The basic egg shape is at the heart of Faberge egg design. This shape can be made of a variety of materials. In the first Imperial egg, known as the First Hen Egg, the egg shape is made from gold. Gold recurs as the basis for Faberge eggs throughout their history. One of the latest eggs, Mosaic, is based on a series of gold bands. However, in other cases, other materials were used. The Memory of Azov Egg, made in 1891, is carved from a single piece of jasper.
  
  

Coverings

• The basic egg shape is usually covered by some kind of decoration. In the case of the First Hen Egg, the gold frame is covered by a layer of white enamel to give the appearance of an eggshell. The Winter egg is decorated with an outer layer of over 1600 diamonds, while the Mosaic egg is completely covered with diamonds and other precious stones as well as small pieces of quartz and several different colors of enamel.
  
  

Surprise

• Most Faberge eggs contain a surprise, usually accessed by opening the eggshell itself. In some cases, the surprise is contained in the base. The surprise is often a miniature model of some kind. In the case of the First Hen Egg, the surprise consisted of a golden yolk containing a gold hen with ruby eyes. The Standart Yacht egg contains a gold and platinum model ship, while the Pelican egg contains a folding ivory and pearl screen displaying eight miniatures.
  
  

Pedestal

• Most Faberge eggs are mounted on a base or pedestal, although some are meant to be held in the hand or rest on a cushion. These bases are sometimes highly decorated themselves. The Moscow Kremlin Egg, for instance, rests on a miniature golden building modeled on the Uspenski Cathedral. The Steel Military Egg, designed during the First World War, is supported on a base of four steel artillery shells, while the Trans-Siberian Railway Egg is supported on the backs of three griffins made of gold and silver.