A striking, Imperial Russian miniature egg pendant, made around the turn of the 20th century. This egg-shaped pendant is carved of beautifully figured rhodonite, and mounted in 84 zolotnik silver. The name rhodonite has its roots the Greek word rhoda, meaning rose. Rhodonite is a stone of everlasting, unselfish love and forgiveness, which is appropriate because these little jewels were traditionally given as gifts during eastertide. We especially like the inkblot-like, isolated black splash in this rhodonite. This egg would have been marked by its maker on the original suspension loop, which has unfortunately been lost.

Materials

84 Zolotnik Silver (.875)
Rhodonite

Age

c. 1890 - 1900

Dimensions

Length without suspension ring approx 18.05 mm; width is approx 9.6 mm.

Notes

This little egg was part of a family collection, originating in St. Petersburg, and passed down from a great-grandmother to her female grandchildren. Each of these eggs, which were originally given as gifts during eastertide, was sewn into this woman's garments when her family fled to Finland, to escape the violence of the Russian Revolution.