Carl Peter Faberge created 52 Eggs in total for the Imperial Family between 1885 and 1917. Housed in various museums and kept by unknown private collectors, 7 of his pieces are still missing as are various surprises from the insides of the eggs.

To follow is a detailed look (in 2 parts) at 10 selected eggs, their date of creation, details of materials and the surprises inside.

1: Danish Palaces Egg 1890: The gold body of the egg is covered in pink-mauve enamel and split into 12 sections by 6 vertical lines of rose cut diamonds. 3 horizontal lines of tiny gold leaves separate the enamel panels from each other. An emerald sits mounted at each intersection and a star sapphire, cabochon cut, tops the egg amongst radiated gold leaves. The bottom of the egg is also chased with gold acanthus leaves.

The egg opens; revealing a 10 panel screen inside is the surprise. Made of multi coloured gold, the individual watercolours are on mother of pearl. Each is framed with a multi coloured gold leaf wreath at the apex and a gold border of flanked circles around all sides. The paintings from left to right along the screen are: the imperial yacht Polar Star; Bernstorff Palace, Copenhagen; The emperor's villa in Fredensborg park, near Fredensborg Castle; Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen; Kronborg Castle, Helsingør; the Cottage Palace, Peterhof; Gatchina Palace near St. Petersburg and the imperial yacht Tsarevna.

2: The Diamond Trellis Egg 1892: The egg is made of pale green Jadeite and encompassed in a rose cut diamond trellis. A large Diamond sits at the base and originally it sat on 3 silver putti, said to be the sons of the imperial couple and the in turn were supported by a Jadeite base.

The surprise inside was the automaton of an ivory elephant. A small key wound the elephant which had a gold tower on its back, decorated with rose cut diamonds. The sides of the elephant were decorated with 5 precious stones and gold, the tusks, trunk and harness were set with small diamonds and a black mahout sat on its head.

3: The 12 Monogram Egg 1896: Covered in blue enamel, the gold eggs 6 panels are divided by rose-cut diamond set bands of gold. Inside each panel is the Imperial Crown and Monograms "MF" and "AIII" also set in diamonds. Pretty gold leaf motifs cover the surface of the blue enamel and the respective monograms can be seen under the portrait diamonds that sit on to and underneath the egg.

Inside the egg is red velvet lining, however unfortunately the surprise has been lost. It is thought to be 6 portraits of Alexander III as detailed on the original bill.

4: The Pelican Egg 1898: Supported on a 4 legged multicolour gold base, this is one of the few eggs not entirely enamelled; the red gold body is engraved in the Empire Style. A pelican sits on the top, enamelled in grey, pink and blue enamel. Feeding its young in the nest, it is a symbol of maternal nurture. The eggs inscription engraved on the outside reads "Visit our vineyards, O Lord, and we shall dwell in thee", the dates 1797-1897 and classical motifs are also engraved on the body.

Inside, the egg opens intricately to reveal its surprise of 9 beautifully hinged oval miniatures. Painted on ivory and unfolding as a screen, they depict the following: St Petersburg Elisabeth Institute, St Petersburg Nicholas Institute, St Petersburg Catherine Institute, St Petersburg Pavlovski Institute, St Petersburg Smolny Institute, St Petersburg Patriotic Institute, St Petersburg Xenia Institute and St Petersburg Nicholas Orphanage Institute. The 9th panel acts as a stand for the miniatures. On the backs, the miniatures are engraved with the relevant institution.

5: Lilies of the Valley 1898: The rose pink enamel covers the top of an exquisite guilloche field. Supported by cabriolet legs of green and gold leaves, it is set with rose cut diamond dewdrops. The gold stemmed lilies have enamelled leaves in green and flowers of gold set rubies, pearls and diamonds.

Twisting a gold mounted pearl button sees the eggs surprise of 3 miniature portraits of the Tsar and his oldest 2 daughter's twists from the top. The miniatures are framed in rose cut diamonds, back with gold and engraved with their presentation date of 31st July 1898.