This is a fabulous Imperial Presentation Easter Egg, of ovoid form, with a delicate overglazed polychrome painting of red peonies, blue flowers and colourful dots on a white ground. Depicted with gilding is the cipher AF in Slavic interlace script beneath the Imperial crown of the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna � the Empress consort of the last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II, reigning from 1894 to 1917. On the back, the egg is inscribed X. B., representing the words Christ is Risen! This egg was made by the Imperial Porcelain Factory at around 1900s and is unmarked. The porcelain eggs were made exclusively by the Imperial Porcelain Factory for the Russian Emperors, their family members, and those attached to the court. The eggs that present the cipher AF and the Imperial crown were personally given by the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna as gifts as part of the Easter ritual of khristosovanie where a triple kiss was exchanged, followed by the words �Christ is Risen!� and giving each other highly decorated porcelain eggs. In everyday society, these eggs were either boiled goose and hen�s eggs or made of wood. During the First World War, the Imperial family started to exchange the triple Easter kiss with thousands of wounded soldiers and distribute porcelain eggs to them as well, though these eggs were rather simple and sober, reflecting the mood of the war.The egg presents 2 holes at each end. Originally, the egg had a silk, velvet or moire ribbon that passed through these holes, and it was used to suspend the egg by an Icon on the wall.For this particular style and use of colours, see pg. 56 in Kudriavtseva, T. and Whitbeck, H. (2001). Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Eggs, Merell Publishers Limited: London. To identify the cipher and the crown, see pg. 54 in the same book. Condition:In excellent condition, with minor wear to the painting and minor nicks to the porcelain commensurate with age. Dimensions:Height: 6.5 cm | Diameter: 5.4 cmDeli...