Authentic Original Imperial Era Circa 1915 14K 56 Gold Guilloché Enamel Red Cross Quartz Easter Egg Charm Pendant by Henrik Immanuel Wikström+♥️+ Fully hallmarked on rose gold bale HW for Henrik Wikström 1862-1923 who was of Finnish-Swedish origin, since Finland was part of the Eastern Empire way back then, and the 56 mark which is 14K gold. Weighs approximately 5.6 grams. Approximately 2.16 cm (13.5/16 of an inch) in height from top loop, excluding hallmarked bale, to egg bottom, and approximately 1.3 cm (half of an inch) at the widest section of the quartz egg excluding the red cross. Red cross yellow gold frame is approximately 8 mm (4.5/16 of an inch) in height by approximately 7.8 mm width since its slightly more curved. Feel free to check out my other Museum Quality Red Cross Collection+
+ Beautiful Condition ! Not bad for after 108 years !
Red Cross with Triptych (Fab-gé egg) was created for the year 1915 (LAST TWO IMAGES NOT INCLUDED IN SALE), so this Red Cross egg charm would have been created for that same year ! The Red Cross symbolising blood which in turn symbolises love and the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the blood he shed for us, while the white background symbolising snow which in turn symbolises purity and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ !
"At the onset of WWI, Eastern Europe was in great need of nurses. This need was so great, that the year-long training period was condensed to two months. In patriotic fervor, women from all classes answered the call to become sestry miloserdiya, sisters of mercy, as nurses were called in Europe. These volunteers included the wives and daughters of government officials, teachers and other professionals, and aristocratic ladies. At the helm were the Roman-of women.
The Eastern European Red Cross was established in 1867 by Emperor Alexander II. Initially called the Society for Care of the Sick and Wounded, in 1879, it was renamed the ? Society of the Red Cross. At the time of the Great War, it was led by Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, who had been president of the ? Red Cross since the beginning of her husband’s reign. When her son Nicholas ascended the throne, she refused to cede her presidency to Alexandra, but did eventually permit her to contribute in her own way. Alexandra and her two eldest daughters, Olga and Tatiana (Tatiana my soulmate), volunteered to become nurses. In their new role, they became known as Sister Romanova, numbers 1, 2, and 3. While the two younger daughters were too young to train, Grand Duchesses Maria and Anastasia offered their support as hospital visitors.
In addition to caring for the wounded, Alexandra opened numerous supply depots that produced medical dressings and also collected and distributed non-perishable food, clothing, pharmaceutical supplies, and other items. Palaces and other buildings were converted for caring for the wounded. By the end of 1914, she was patron of 85 hospitals throughout Petrograd.
Alexandra and her daughters traded their royal finery for nurse’s uniforms in an effort to bridge the gap between themselves and their subjects. At this time, Fab-gé’s artistic output also reflected austerity efforts, producing simpler pieces, and eventually, offering his workshops for making munitions. Though simple in design, this Fab-gé Red Cross Easter egg charm makes a strong statement, recalling a time when people came together to overcome difficult circumstances". Couldn't have said it better myself.