The RNLI and the City Livery Yacht Club have commissioned Theo Fabergé and his daughter Sarah Fabergé to design an exclusive Trafalgar Egg. The Egg celebrates the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 2005, as well as the life and times of Nelson. It has also been created to raise funds for the RNLI. Proceeds will go towards a £1 million Appeal by the RNLI City of London Branch to provide a new Tamar Class lifeboat for Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station in Cornwall. See the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (www.rnli.org.uk) for further details.

The Trafalgar Egg is presented in rich cobalt blue. It is hand turned with a pattern representing the roll of the waves, and guilloche enamelled on sterling silver. The Trafalgar Egg stands 18 cm high.

The front of the Egg is adorned in 24-ct gold on silver, with a panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar taken from the famous painting 'Redoubtable at Trafalgar' by Auguste Mayer. It was from this vessel that the shot was fired which killed Admiral Lord Nelson. The reverse of the Egg features Nelson's Naval Gold Medal. Inside is a 'surprise' - a figure of Nelson.

The Trafalgar Egg has been designed with references obtained under licence from the National Maritime Museum and the Bridgeman Art Library.

The Egg will be a strictly limited edition of 50 worldwide. A traditional British hallmark and unique edition number will authenticate each Trafalgar Egg. The Eggs will be auctioned at a series of events arranged by the RNLI and the CLYC. The reserve price at auction will be £10,000 per Egg inclusive of VAT. At this reserve price £5,000 of the proceeds will go to the RNLI. In addition, Eggs may be individually purchased.

Further information is available from Jill Moffatt, Senior Fundraising Manager, RNLI Greater London Region (email: Jmoffatt@rnli.org.uk)