The Imperial Cabinet awarded a number of jewelled brooches featuring the Imperial double-headed eagle during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II. The Fabergé workshops of Holmström, Hollming, and Thielemann were the principal suppliers of these pieces.

Brooches and other small items of jewellery bearing the Imperial eagle or crown were frequently selected as gifts during the many journeys undertaken by the Imperial family. According to the Imperial Court ledgers, the present brooch was taken by Nicholas II on a trip in September 1907.

For a comparable brooch, see L. Cerwinske, Russian Imperial Style, New York, 1990, p. 90. We are grateful to Dmitry Krivoshey for his assistance with the research of the present lot.