As Easter approaches, many of us will be trying to resist those chocolate temptations calling to us from the supermarket shelves - here expert “egger”, Maria Harrington, tells the history of a far more beautiful, and ultimately more satisfying gift for Easter

The Decorated Egg

THE decorating of eggs is not new; it began in ancient times. There is mention of coloured eggs in China as early as 722 BC. There was also a decorated egg found in a Roman sarcophagus near Worms in Germany. Over the years, the art of egg decorating became more sophisticated and by the 13th Century eggs were covered in gold leaf and presented to the English Court by Edward I. In the 16th Century, eggs with ‘surprises’ in them came into existence.

Pagans, Christians, Jews, Hindu and Muslims all have a history pertaining to eggs in their various festivals or religions and practically every country has its own version of the decorated egg. The various styles and techniques have been handed down through the generations.

For all the long history of egg designs throughout the world, nothing can compare with the eggs made by Peter Carl Faberge,

Jeweller-artist to the Russian Court. His eggs were presented by the Tsar Alexander III to his Tsarina, truly beautiful creations, often encrusted with jewels. The famous ‘Imperial Easter Egg’ made between 1884 and 1916, plus his other spectacular works of art were not, however, made from actual eggshells, but of precious metals and fabulous jewels - lovely egg shaped works of art that have been a joy and inspiration to modern day egg artists.

Eggs have always symbolised the concept of creation and anyone who has observed the phenomenon of new life emerging through the secret and mysterious shell, has witnessed a miracle unfold. Even the unadorned shell is a work of art, often taken for granted in the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives, but next time you pick up an egg, linger a few seconds to feel

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BYMARIA HARRINGTON

the wonderful and tactile shape.

The most common shells used by today’s ‘eggers’, range in size from *quail (see footnote), hen, turkey, duck, goose, emu, rhea and ostrich. The easiest of these shells to work on are duck, goose, rhea and ostrich. For the absolute beginner, hens and some ducks eggs are perhaps the easier, as these can be cut using a sharp pair of scissors ... and if things should go wrong, so what, just try again!

The tougher eggs, like goose (a delight to work with) rhea and ostrich require a small hand-held power drill. There is also a device on the market for marking the shells for a more accurate and detailed cut. Eggcraft is a hoarder’s delight as many oddments such as braids, pearls,

beads, artificial flowers, scraps of paper (for decoupage) and even the odd earring can be used to decorate the inside and outside of the eggshell. Don’t expect perfection when you attempt your first few eggs. Keep the cutting to a Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40