Cook Islands 2010 Imperial Eggs in Cloisonné Egg in Blue 20g Silver Proof Coin. 30 x 43 mm. Cloisonné, also called wire enamel, is a handcraft technique in which wire separates individual compartments using given patterns. The compartments are filled with enamel powder in various colour mixtures and then fired in the oven. This manner of artistic design originated in ancient Greece and found its way to China and Japan via the Silk Road. The Cloisonné reached its zenith in the Ming Dynasty in the 15th and 16th century. Enamel design was also extremely appreciated at a later date, for instance in the Russian tsars court in St. It was a tradition in Russia to give eggs as a present at Easter, therefore in 1885 Tsar Alexander III commissioned the jeweller Carl Peter Fabergé to make an extraordinary jewel egg as a gift for his wife Maria. This masterpiece was so successful that from then on the tsar gave his wife a new egg every year. Alexanders son and successor, Tsar Nicholas II, ordered another 40 imperial eggs at the House of Fabergé before the revolution put an end to this tradition. The most striking versions of these enamel Fabergé-Eggs, implemented with diamonds and gemstones served as models for these new Cloisonné coins. Featuring 11 pieces of 1mm Bohemian crystals. Low mintage – limited to only 2,500 pieces. Comes with capsule and the certificate of authenticity (was released without box). We strive for excellent service. Though we normally reply to inquiries as soon as possible, please note that our office is limited on weekends and holidays. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “Cook Islands 2010 Imperial Eggs in Cloisonné Egg in Blue 20g Silver Proof Coin” is in sale since Thursday, March 12, 2015. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ World\Australia & Oceania\South Pacific”. The seller is “jvpic” and is located in Berlin. This item can be shipped worldwide.