Replica, 1/10 scale, of the Imperial Russian Regalia, composed of gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, spinel, pearls, sapphires, rhodonite, and velvet. To epitomize his firm's skill and make a Russian statement, Peter Carl Faberge asked permission of Nicholas II to create this replica for the great Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris. The Imperial Regalia, crafted during the reign of Catherine the Great (1762 - 1796), has never been allowed to leave Russia. The replica's Great Crown contains 1,083 brilliant diamonds and 245 rose cuts; the Small Crown contains 180 brilliants and 1204 rose cuts; the Orb has 65 brilliants and 654 rose cuts; and the Scepter a replica of the Orloff diamond and 125 rose cuts. Bought by Nicholas II, the replica has been exhibited in the Hermitage since 1911. House of Faberge: jeweled regalia were probably crafted by workshop of August Holmstršm, silver bases and rhodonite column by Julius Rappoport; St. Petersburg, 1899. Loaned by Hermitage State Museum, St. Petersburg.