Golden egg with hen
This golden egg was made in France around 1720 and can be divided into five parts: ivory egg shell, golden egg shell, hen, crown and ring. The egg could also be used as a perfume container. It is believed to have been a gift from Charlotte of Orléans to Queen Caroline of Great Britain.
Golden egg with hen
This golden egg was made in France around 1720 and can be divided into no fewer than five parts: ivory egg shell, golden egg shell, hen, crown and ring. In addition to the many hidden items, the egg can also be used as a perfume bottle, alos known as a vinaigrette - a container that the owner could hold up to their nose if the ait in the room was foul.
Originally, the egg is believed to have been a gift from Charlotte of Orléans to Queen Caroline of Great Britain. Through inheritance, the egg passed to the Danish royal family in the late 18th century, when Queen Marie inherited the egg. She in turn passed the egg on to her youngest daughter, Princess Vilhelmine Marie. In 1879, the Princess loaned the egg to the large exhibition on art and industry, where the Russian Empress may well have seen it.
A few years later, Court Jeweller Fabergé initiated his production of the famous Fabergé eggs – probably with inspiration from this particular egg.
About the golden egg with hen
Princess Vilhelmine Marie inherited the golden egg
Queen Marie passed the golden egg on to her youngest daughter, Princess Vilhelmine Marie.
Princess Vilhelmine Marie was married twice. Her first husband was the later Frederik VII.
Princess Vilhelmine Marie was married twice but did not have any children. In her youth, she married the later King Frederik VII, but the couple divorced in 1837. In 1838, she married Christian IX's older brother Prince Carl of Glücksborg.
The golden egg is passed on again
In her last will and testament, Princess Vilhelmine Marie left the golden egg to 'my beloved brother-in-law and my beloved sister-in-law the King and Queen of Denmark and all their heirs to the Danish Crown'.
The golden egg passes to Christian IX and Queen Louise
With these words, Princess Vilhelmine Marie left the golden egg to Christian IX and Queen Louise when she died, in 1891, and thus, the egg returned to the Danish Royal House.