Hand painted Faberge Egg?

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this. I'm currently in debate as to what it is made from. some say it is plastic. But I am sure it is not. It's very brittle and the thickness is uneven. The dull top layer coating is peeling, revealing a shiny surface. The top layer is dry and can easily be removed, but I am not sure this layer is meant to be on it. Only on one half of the egg, within the centre is a marking. Are the dogs New Foundland and can anyone identify this faberge please?
Length 12.5cm
Width 9.3cm
Height 8.7cm
weight 240g
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Looks like lacquered papier mache?

It's very hard for papier mache I would of thought Potty. Now looking on the inside is now making me think it might be. I've just knocked the egg with my artheritis middle proximal interphalangeal joint. Ooooh! that hurts!

I've just noticed that one half is smooth and the other with the circled marking is kind of lumpy or should I say rippely on the inside, that is. I've even tried looking at other faberge eggs to see if there is the same type of gold design pattern that is on the outer base shell. No luck so far .

Wood or cardboard base layer, with a lacquered surface. Can't tell from the photos if the dogs are printed or handpainted, but they've been lacquered over the top. If printed, then probably German lithograph of the type beloved of Victorian scrap books and fire screens.
This looks British or Continental (Germany/Austria) rather than Russian. So, sorry, not a Faberge.

Lacquered papier mache is hard and strong, nothing like the stuff we used to make at school

It is also quite light weight.

It's certainly not made by Faberge unfortunately.

...although yes, it's an Easter egg.

Dogs might be St Bernards, so, alternatively, this might be Swiss.

Age wise I'd expect it to be late Victorian, but it could be much later, not my area at all!

NaomiM wrote:Wood or cardboard base layer, with a lacquered surface. Can't tell from the photos if the dogs are printed or handpainted, but they've been lacquered over the top. If printed, then probably German lithograph of the type beloved of Victorian scrap books and fire screens.
This looks British or Continental (Germany/Austria) rather than Russian. So, sorry, not a Faberge.

I am not sure if I agree with wood or cardboard base layer. The egg sounds and feels like pottery. I've just scraped back a very small area that reveals some sort of hard brown, clay like porous substance. I only can see it under magnification. I am quite certain, if the item was dropped, even at a low height, onto a hard surface, it would be a clean break.

The paintwork is not a print or Lithograph. Under magnification you can clearly see the paint brush strokes and depth. I am more than certain it is all hand painted, and finally glossed and then laquered over, as you have mentioned.

Hence my query mark, Potty. To me it's an easter egg, however, with an interesting difference and definately got some age to it. So you could be right about the period. I suppose the only real way of finding out, is to put it in the han

hands of a specialist.