Maria Feodorovna, christened Dagmar, was the daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and she Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich, later Emperor Alexander III in 1866. Her charm and beauty made her native Denmark popular in Imperial Russia. Fabergé paid homage to the Empress by extending his objects of fantasy to represent the Empress’ birthplace. The highest order of Denmark is the Order of the Elephant, its badge is a white enamel elephant supporting a jewelled enamelled brick tower. The Order is an emblem of the Danish Nation and Fabergé produced hardstone carvings modelled on its badge.