Mastery of Design: A Fabergé Hen, c. 1908

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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According to The Royal Collection Trust, "the ledgers of Fabergé's London branch reveal that Queen Alexandra purchased three 'chickens', all of chalcedony with gold feet, at a cost of £8 15s each."  Now, even for 1908, that's a poultry--I mean, paltry (couldn't help myself) sum for a Fabergé chicken, even a very small one.  Chances are, these three were very small, in fact.  The two miniature Fabergé hens which remain in the Royal Collection are rather on the large side for miniatures.  Given that, it's most likely that the three listed in the ledgers were purchased as gifts.

Nonetheless, this hen was also made around 1908 by Fabergé.  Instead of being crafted of chalcedony, it's made of agate, with gold feet and wee diamond eyes.  It's very possible this handsome hen was commissioned in 1907 as part of King Edward VII's Sandringham Commission.