Theo Fabergé celebrates the beauty of Peterhof Palace, with his Samson Egg. The silver and 18 kt gold Egg is hand engine-turned and guilloché enamelled. Malachite columns with architectural capitals are surmounted with heraldic dolphins.

Mounted upon the upper shell are two lions – eternal symbols of imperial majesty, hand fashioned and superbly rendered. The finial is a miniature of the triple-headed eagle from the roof of the Peterhof Palace.

The ‘surprise’ shows Samson struggling with a mighty lion.