Egg Art
Egg art is a creative expression that involves the decoration and manipulation of eggs, often seen as symbols of fertility and new life across various cultures. Historical evidence indicates that egg decoration dates back thousands of years, with ancient civilizations incorporating eggs into springtime religious ceremonies. Techniques such as pysanky, originating from Eastern Europe, involve intricate designs achieved through a wax-resist dyeing process reminiscent of batik. Other notable forms include Lithuanian marguciai and Slovak kraslica, each reflecting cultural heritage through vibrant colors and patterns.
In addition to these traditional methods, emu egg carving by Aboriginal Australians, known as Kalti Paarti, has gained recognition for its detailed representations of cultural narratives. The renowned Fabergé eggs, commissioned by the Russian royal family in the late 19th century, exemplify luxurious egg art, combining precious materials and intricate craftsmanship. Today, egg art encompasses a wide range of styles, from seasonal decorations for Easter to elaborate artistic creations that can fetch high prices among collectors and art enthusiasts. As techniques evolve, egg art continues to attract interest for both personal enjoyment and professional artistry, with opportunities for workshops, competitions, and sales.
Subject Terms
Egg Art
History
For thousands of years, the egg has been seen as a symbol of fertility and new life. For this reason, many ancient cultures incorporated eggs into springtime religious celebrations and decorated them with symbols of their cultures. Egg art has likewise appeared all over the world.
Fragments of intentionally carved ostrich eggshells were found in the 2000s in the Howiesons Poort of Diepkloof Rock Shelter in Western Cape, South Africa. The 270 fragments were about 60,000 years old. The designs consist of deeply engraved lines, hatched bands, and other abstract motifs.
Early pagans believed that they could save the world by decorating eggs, which they viewed as symbolizing goodness and hope. This technique of egg decoration that evolved in Eastern Europe became known as pysanky (or pysanka), which is derived from the Ukrainian word meaning "to draw." The eggs are decorated with melted beeswax and then dyed; later, the wax is melted off, as in batik. This remains one of the best-known forms of egg decoration.
Other forms of egg art, including marguciai and kraslica, have similar origins. Marguciai are Lithuanian eggs that are ceremonially painted and hung on trees as decorations. Kraslica, from Slovakia, are generally decorated with a batik technique, though some are also painted.
In the nineteenth century, emu eggs carved by Aboriginal Australian artists started to become popular. Known as Kalti Paarti, the carved eggs depict animals, people, traditions, and events. Although the egg carving tradition continues in the twenty-first century, emus are protected and artists must be registered and licensed to buy or collect their eggs.
Perhaps the most famous example of egg art, Fabergé eggs are considered to be nearly priceless. They were created in the late nineteenth century, when Czar Alexander III commissioned Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé to create an Easter gift for the Czarina Maria Fedorovna. The initial egg, made of gold and gem stones, was treasured by the royal family, who then ordered for an egg every Easter thereafter. The Russian government displayed these works at the 1900 World's Fair, which brought the eggs to wider public attention.
Fabergé created over fifty eggs for the royal family, but production came to a halt in 1917 when the government was overthrown. After the death of the czar, several of the eggs went missing, and others were sold. Though Fabergé was commissioned to create eggs for other clients, the imperial eggs remain the most valuable of all his work. In 2015, a scrap metal dealer found what turned out to be the Third Imperial Easter Egg, designed by Fabergé for the czar in 1887. The egg had an estimated value of $33 million.
Things to Look For
Collectors of egg art may be drawn to particular aspects of a piece, including as the size of the egg, the type of egg used, the brilliance of the colors, or the specific technique used. Some collectors may look for eggs in music box form, while others are attracted to egg ornaments or egg displays. Elaborate eggs may be decorated with jewels and precious metals, making them extremely expensive and attractive to affluent collectors. Still other eggs may be decorated with themes related to history or popular culture. Such eggs may also appeal to collectors of historic and cultural objects, and not only admirers of egg art.
Trends
Easter eggs are generally the focus of new trends in egg art. Kits may contain images of popular cartoons or characters that can be used in decorating the eggs. They may also utilize different techniques such as tie-dye, glitter, or paint-by-number.
The creation of elaborate eggs using batik, etching, carving, and painting remains popular, and has become more intricate and artistic in recent years. Eggs can be made into intricate boxes, bowls, or containers, and very small eggs may be made into jewelry.
Egg Art for Fun vs. Profit
Egg art has evolved through the years from a seasonal celebration to an artistic pursuit. Because the possibilities of egg art are so vast, a successful career in egg decoration may depend on the technique used by an artist. Skilled egg artisans may teach classes in their technique or sell their individual pieces. Intricate eggs created by established artists may be sold for thousands of dollars. Competitions are occasionally held at fairs or art gatherings, often with monetary prizes. Jewelers who are able to create Fabergé-style eggs can easily command high prices for their work.
Learning More
Buttafuoco, Grazia and Dede Varetto. Great Book of Egg Decorating. Sterling, 2004.
Byrd, Susan, Susannah M. Byrd and Marcie Carbaga, eds. Egg Decoration, 1991. Dover, 2012.
Disney, Rosemary. The Splendid Art of Decorating Eggs. Dover, 1986.
Faberge, Peter Carl, Faberzhe Levin and Susanna Pfefer. Faberge Eggs: Masterpieces from Czarist Russia. Hugh Lautner, 1990.
Hopper, Denise. Making Faberge-Style Eggs. Guild of Master Craftsman Publications, 2003.
Mead, Matthew. Easter Eggs: 40 Fabulous Projects for the Whole Family. Chronicle Books, 2007.
Tillander-Godenheilm, Ulla. Fabergé: His Masters and Artisans. Unicorn, 2018.