The Fabergé finial of the Russian National Banner, with its ornate crafting and use of the double-headed eagle is a symbol of the power of the czars and of Russia itself. The finial is gilded silver in the form of a smooth globe orb, which is crowned by a cast two-headed eagle. The two-headed eagle is under three crowns with a scepter and an orb in its claws; on the eagle's breast is a large shield with the image of the Moscow coat-of-arms surrounded by the chain of the Order of St. Andrew the First Called. On the widespread eagle's wings are shields with the coat-of-arms of Russian territories and principalities. The ribbon under the crowns of the eagle is covered with the partial remains of a blue enamel.The tube of the finial is fastened onto the staff with two screws.

The finial was made by the head silversmith of the firm of Fabergé, Julius Alexandrovich Rappaport. The sumptuous gilded finial is distinguished by the well-balanced proportions of all its parts, careful drawing of the smallest detail: the feathers of the eagle, the crown, symbols of power, the exact drawing of the heraldic images. The finial was made for the national banner in 1896 for the coronation of Nicholas II. The national banner was blessed on the eve of the coronation, May 12, 1896, in the Throne Room of the Armory Palace. On it was a wide, gold, woven image of the national coat-of-arms, framed in oak and palm leaves.

The transitional government that came to power after the February revolution of 1917 and the abdication of Nicholas II continued to use the two-headed eagle as the state emblem, but the symbols of monarchy -- the crowns, orb and sceptre -- were removed. After the October revolution of 1917, the eagle was abolished until 1993, when once again it became the emblem of Russia.

Text taken from catalog description by Marina P. Golovanova.