Both the dolls are one of a kind, 9” tall, have painted eyes and attached hairstyles in Mohair
Anastasia is hand carved/built porcelain fired with a permanent pearl like finish. Her headpiece is carved sea shell jeweled with crystals.
Alexei is enameled and silver plated porcelain. He wears a silk cap and an articulated hand piece in the shape of a lobster (crayfish).
*The Story of Anastasia & Alexei*
For almost a century Alexei and Anastasia Romanov (the youngest 2 of 5 children of the last Russian Czar) were believed to have escaped the massacre of their family in 1918. Many people claimed to be their decedents over the years and the saga became even fiercer when the family grave was found with two children missing (a boy and a girl). Finally their bones were discovered in 2007 solving this mystery and concluding that sadly, they did not escape.
Their bones are now kept by the Russian church as `saint relics`
ELI EFFENBERGER
I was very moved by their story as well as by the romanticism and almost stoic acceptance in which the Romanovs seemed to show towards their nearing end.They seemed have known it was coming yet let it arrive without putting up a fight, trusting it was somehow God`s Will.
Masterfully Jeweled Easter Egg pieces , an unofficial symbol of this close-knit family, were commissioned every year by the Czar to the Master Jeweler House of Faberge` as a gift to his beloved wife. The Jeweler would inspect the final product personally before presenting the Czar with a new egg shaped treasure that holds a Romanov Family themed treasure inside (a miniature of the Queen's carriage, The Imperial Navy Ship, The family portrait, The Czar himself on horseback…)
I think the story of this family is especially touching due to their closeness and the great love between the Czar and his wife and to their five children. Alexei was the youngest and only heir to The Romanov Family. He was a hemophiliac and was kept pampered and spoiled by both his parents and elder sisters. Perhaps treated as delicately as would an Imperial Egg be handled.
The bones of Alexei and Anastasia finally came to rest, two relics of a Russian era that ended with their death. I've used elements of Fabergé jewelling to tell their stories.
Saying this, I'd still like to make emphasis; these dolls do not portray the real Romanov children Alexei and Anastasia, but portray the spirits of romanticism and myth surrounding their life and death, in my eyes.
