|
Presented by Tsar Nicholas II to the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna on
Easter 1911, a silver gilt key allowed the Dowager Empress to discover the
surprise hidden within the egg-shaped topiary tree. Tucked within the
finely engraved nephrite leaves, enameled flowers and jeweled "fruit" is a
gold winding mechanism. When triggered, a portion of the foliage at the
top of the tree rises. Suddenly, music fills the air as a feathered
nightingale emerges to chirp its tune while moving its beak and flapping
its wings. When the melody ends, the bird descends automatically into its
verdant nest until beckoned once more to sing.
|
