A Russian Hardstone Bonbonnière by Vassili Finnikov,

carved from a single piece of grey, banded agate, in the form of an egg,
mounted with a reeded silver-gilt collar.

Signed: Cyrillic 'VF'
St Petersburg, Pre-1896

Height: 7.5cm

Finikov had a workshop on 55 Moika Embankment which was owned by the Bolin brothers, another famous
Russian silversmithing firm. Finikov produced wares for Bolin and Hahn. Although his work is not as well known as the output of
other leading Russian firms, he still produced objects that were equally fine.

In Russia, Easter was the most important day in the religious calendar. The giving and receiving of an egg at Easter,
celebrated the coming of new life, after the deep Russian winter. At Easter, everyone would give and receive an egg,
be it a modest hen’s egg or one of the lavish Imperial eggs made by Faberge. 

The Egg illuminated