You weren’t the only one who found eggs this Easter. The Houston Museum of Natural Science added over 20 new artifacts to our Faberge exhibition this past weekend – jeweled cigarette cases, brooches, carved bowls, a pendant, a pair of cuff links, and a new Faberge egg.

This cigarette case, crafted in four colors of gold, was a gift from the Tsarina Maria Alexandrovich to the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlona and the Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich on the occasion of their golden anniversary (25 years).

The design of this particular piece includes a neat trick. The center medallion of the Gold Anniversary case includes diamonds set in the form of the Roman numerals XXV (25). When viewed from the other direction, the diamonds appear to be an entwined M and V (for Maria and Vladimir).

Diamonds spell out Roman numerals XXV	Diamonds make an intertwined M and V

Don’t miss your chance to see Faberge: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars – including these brand new objects on display – at HMNS through July 25, 2010. Get a preview in this interview in the exhibit, with our President and Curator of Gems and Minerals, Joel A. Bartsch:

Can’t see the video? Click here to view it.