On Easter Sunday, the reigning Czar would present an Imperial Egg to his wife. Fabergé's Imperial Egg designs became the object of great anticipation by the Imperial Court, whom Fabergé delighted in surprising with Imperial Eggs each more magnificent than the last. The Egg has no visible Fabergé markings.

On Easter morning, Fabergé delivers to the palace what appears to be a simple enameled egg. But to the delight of the Empress, inside is a golden yolk; within the yolk is a golden hen with ruby eyes; and concealed within the hen is a diamond miniature of the royal crown and a tiny ruby egg.

His wife's delight is all the Czar needs to reward Fabergé with a commission for an Easter egg every year. The requirements are straightforward: each egg must be unique, and each must contain a suitable surprise for the Empress. With consummate craftsmanship and an inventive spirit, Fabergé repeatedly meets the challenge, borrowing inspiration from the gilded lives of the Czar and Czarina.

In what year India Early Minshall acquired this Egg is not known. In the 1930's there were five major American Fabergé collectors, of which India Early Minshall was one. She acquired this Lapis Lazuli Egg and the 1915 Tsar Imperial Red Cross Triptych Egg.