tradition

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Art and tradition ...

From paganism to religious traditions around the egg...

Painting eggs is a very old craft.

Druids, for instance, regarded eggs as sacred objets; eating them was prohibited.

Ever since pagan times, the egg has been regarded as a symbol of birth, fertility, rebirth. But it remainded above all the indestructible symbol of kindness.

Through centuries, the egg has kept its fascinatingly perfect shape which suggests the uselessness of evolutionary change...

Through the ages, whether out religious or superstitious beliefs, Pagans, Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, Greeks, in fact all the nations on earth have imbued the egg with mysterious and magical powers.

The egg is a symbol of life; until opened, this life remains hidden inside a fragile "box". The smallest shock would reveal the mystery inside. It is in large part because of its fragility that one regards the egg with such respect. The way eggs were decorated in the past shows us the constant fascination for the eggshell that still exists today in various countries.

Usually, women are the ones who handle eggs for culinary purposes, of course. Thus, they are responsible for perpetrating egg decoration through the ages.

Not only but often, it is during Easter time - symbolizing the Resurrection - or springtime - marking the renewal of life - that families celebrate the continuity of life and death; those themes inspire egg decoration.

Painted, carved, inlaid, with an openwork design, embroidered.., egg is for some the gift of life, for others a wish of luck or a token of affection, esteem or love. Egg decoration varies according to countries. Some are plain, others finely worked with drawings and bejewelled with semi-precious or precious stones, taking hours to complete. For example, it is interesting to compare a greek egg (often dyed red) with a Pole, Slovak or Ukrainian egg with geometric patterns.

So far no one has been able to equall the skill of the master Russian goldsmith Peter Carl Fabergé. Fabergé's masterpieces were not from fowl eggs but fashioned from gold, silver, precious stones, so it is unfair to make any comparison. These eggs are unique.
Other links:
Some photographs of Fabergé Eggs
Vivian Alexander Objets d'Art
Egg shell carving and sculpting- Al Gunther

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