A Russian Corps des Pages Red Guilloché and White Opaque Enameled Gold Easter Egg Fabergé, Workmaster Feodor Afanassiev, St. Petersburg, 1899-1903 0-3/4 x 0-1/2 inches (1.9 x 1.3 cm) 4 grams PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Houston, Texas; John Atzbach Antiques, Bellevue, Washington; Acquired from the above by the current owner. The Imperial Corps des Pages was founded in 1759 and reorganized in 1802. At the time of the reorganization, the Corps adopted the code and symbols of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and of Rhodes, who had been granted protection within the Russian Empire after their expulsion by Napoleon. The cadets took their Maltese connection seriously, and the symbol adorned many Fabergé pieces designed for cadets, alumni and their families. A similar egg, but with diamond cross was sold, Sotheby's London, Russian Works of Art, Fabergé, and Icons, November 30, 2021, lot 428. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved