A Faberge egg commissioned by a Russian tsar has sold for a record £22.9m at auction in London.

The 4in (10cm) tall Winter Egg is crafted from rock crystal, covered in a delicate snowflake motif wrought in platinum and set with 4,500 tiny diamonds.

London auction house Christie's said it was the third time the egg had set a world record price for a Faberge item.

Craftsman Peter Carl Faberge and his company created more than 50 of the eggs for Russia 's imperial royal family between 1885 and 1917, each elaborately unique and containing a hidden surprise.

The Winter Egg opens to reveal a removable tiny basket of quartz flowers symbolising spring.

Image: This egg opens to reveal a removable tiny basket of quartz flowers symbolising spring. Pic: AP

Tsar Nicholas II commissioned t

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