This is a fabulous Imperial Presentation Easter Egg, of ovoid form, with a delicate overglazing of blue, turquoise and gold pastel shades on a pink background, in the style characteristic of the reign of Emperor Alexander II of Russia (1855-1881). Made by the Imperial Porcelain Factory, at around 1870-1880s, the egg is inscribed in Cyrillic with the words Христос воскресе!, Christ is Risen! 
 
The porcelain eggs were made exclusively by the Imperial Porcelain Factory for the Russian Emperors, their family members, and those attached to the court. These eggs were given as gifts by the Imperial family as part of the Easter ritual of khristosovanie where a triple kiss was exchanged, followed by the words ‘Christ is Risen!’ and giving each other highly decorated porcelain eggs. In everyday society, these eggs were either boiled goose and hen’s eggs or made of wood. During the First World War, the Imperial family started to exchange the triple Easter kiss with thousands of wounded soldiers and distribute porcelain eggs to them as well, though these eggs were rather simple and sober, reflecting the mood of the war. 
 
The egg presents 2 holes at each end. Originally, the egg had a silk, velvet or moire ribbon that passed through these holes, and it was used to suspend the egg by an Icon on the wall.
 
For this particular style and use of colours, see pg. 23 and pg. 248 in Kudriavtseva, T. and Whitbeck, H. (2001). Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Eggs, Merell Publishers Limited: London.