A Russian porcelain Easter egg, almost certainly Imperial Porcelain Factory, circa 1900. The egg painted with a net of pale blue ribbons intersecting with bow knots and set with sprigs of violets. 1206-049. Height 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm). During the reign of Nicholas II, eggs produced with the cypher of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna offered some of the most interesting examples of ornament. Combinations of rosebuds, forget-me-nots, and bowknots clearly rely upon the graphic designs of the Mir iskusstva group and other leading Russian artists inspired by 18th-century ornament. The same motifs could be painted on eggs without the Imperial cypher as well and this egg is a particularly fine example with its combination of bow knots and realistically painted violets.

Overall very good condition.