The egg is nature's perfect package. It has, during the span of history, represented mystery, magic, medicine, food and omen. It is the universal symbol of Easter celebrations throughout the world and has been dyed, painted, adorned and embellished in the celebration of its special symbolism. Before the egg became closely entwined with the Christian Easter, it was honored during many rite-of-Spring festivals. The Romans, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians all cherished the egg as a symbol of the universe. From ancient times eggs were dyed, exchanged and shown reverence. In Pagan times the egg represented the rebirth of the earth. The long, hard winter was over; the earth burst forth and was reborn just as the egg miraculously burst forth with life.
One legend involving the Easter Egg concerns the Virgin Mary. It tells of the time Mary gave eggs to the soldiers at the cross. She entreated them to be less cruel and she wept. The tears of Mary fell upon the eggs, spotting them with dots of brilliant color. Another religious legend tells of when Mary Magdalene went to the sepulcher to anoint the body of Jesus, she had with her a basket of eggs. When she arrived at the sepulcher and uncovered the eggs, the pure white shells had miraculously taken on a rainbow of colors.
The most famous decorated Easter eggs were those made by the well-known goldsmith, Peter Carl Faberge. In 1883 the Russian Czar, Alexander, commissioned Faberge to make a special Easter gift for his wife, the Empress Marie. The first Faberge egg was an egg within an egg. It had an outside shell of platinum and enameled white which opened to reveal a smaller gold egg. The smaller egg, in turn, opened to display a golden chicken and a jeweled replica of the Imperial crown. This special Faberge egg so delighted the Czarina that the Czar promptly ordered the Faberge firm to design further eggs to be delivered every Easter. In later years Nicholas II, Alexander's son, continued the custom. Fifty-seven eggs were made in all.
On this lacquer egg from the 1860's are two images. On the front Christ is shown resurrecting from His tomb. On the back is the image of the Christ Out Savior Cathedral, which was completed not too long before this egg was painted. The egg was part of a seasonal collection of eggs that the Lukutin workshops put out just before Easter. Today these eggs are a rare find and in such exquisite condition, this piece was surely cherished by those who had it in their possession before. Eggs similar to this one can be found in N. Krestovskaya's "Lacquer Miniatures: Fedoskino," on pages 46 and 47.
Painted with oil-based paint on the paper-mache form, this anonymous artist's work has survived a miraculous 140 years. Behind Christ the background is painted with soft yellow paint with aluminum powder in it. Christ's shroud that He is leaving behind as he ascends to Heaven is gold-leaf inlay. His likeness is striking and done according to a more realistic icon painting style that appeared after Peter the Great's church reforms. On the back the cathedral is painted with every angle and perspective in the place that the original architects intended. Where the artist has not painted anything red paint covers the surface and simple gold flowers painted with beads decorate the egg. The egg opens to a scarlet red interior that has a sweet scent of myrrh that was left over from a previous owner who must have stored myrrh within the egg. It is hard to believe the egg is in such good condition for being such an antiquated item, despite the fact that the lip around where the egg opens and closes is mildly worn, and the interior has minor scratching; however, that is all.
Materials: paper-mache, oil-based paint, gold, aluminum, and lacquer.
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About Artist Anonymous, :
In the world of art some of the greatest paintings, sculptures, and literary works have not been signed by the artists, sculptors, or writers who completed them. If Anonymous were a name of a real person he/she would go down as the most well rounded artist, writer, and poet in history. These unsung people, having contributed to the world of art over the years, have chosen to stay anonymous for various reasons. Whatever reasons they may be these artists have shown there is more to the world art than gaining notoriety. The idea of creating art for art's sake is what draws artists to want to create beauty. When an artist creates something truly beautiful, no matter if it is signed or not, that
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read about Anonymous,
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Christ is Risen 1860"
- Weight: 2.4 oz 68 g
- Price: $2500.00
- This specific item is available as a single work.
We do not expect to carry this item in the foreseeable future!
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