Eggsciting Easter
By Ma. Kristine Buenafe
Easter marks the day of joyous celebrations and festivities everywhere. Among the highlights of this day include fun games and shows for children, and the most-awaited Easter egg hunt!
Apart from these fun-filled activities, painting and decorating Easter eggs are among the traditional activities kids and adults alike take part in. Just like the Philippines, other countries around the world have their traditions with Easter eggs that represent a part of their culture. Here are some of the most egg-citing.
The bejeweled Fabergé eggs
Commissioned by Emperor Alexander III of the Russian Imperial Family from 1815 to 1916, these beautiful and unique decorative eggs were designed to be Easter gifts for Empress Maria Feodorovna, his wife. Peter Carl Fabergé, a goldsmith, created these eggs every year for the Imperial Family, up until the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Created using only the finest materials, jewels, and precious gems and stones available, each egg is unique in its design, shape, size, and cultural significance during that time.
“Fabergé’s interest was not in precious materials—yes, he had to use gold, silver, platinum—but he rarely used large precious stones because it was not his interest. He was interested in the artistic value of a piece,” says Fabergé expert Dr. Géza von Habsburg.
The most iconic Fabergé egg to date would be the Coronation Egg from 1897, which was in commemoration of the Coronation of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Its outer shell is covered in shining yellow enamel embellished with diamond-set eagles forming an intricate diamond pattern around the egg, which reminisces the cloth she wore at the ceremony. The egg opens near the top to reveal a miniature 18th-century carriage made of gold and diamonds, a replica of the same vehicle used to transport her to the imperial ceremony.
Today, only 43 out of 50 eggs are displayed around the world in various private collections and public art museums, one of which is located in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The intricate art of Pysanky
Derived from the Ukrainian word pysaty, which means “to write,” this Easter tradition dates back to prehistoric Ukraine. Easter Eggs are decorated using the wax-resist dyeing method, also referred to as the Batik technique, and the use of a tool called kistka, which helps in creating lines and patterns around the egg. Wax and different colored dyes come together to achieve the intended design.
‘This art brought me out of the situation, miseries, I had before. And so it's my way of thanking the Lord—by spreading his good news through my artwork.’
The ornamental patterns around the egg are said to be inspired by Slavic folk art, which typically represents nature and the natural world. Different iconography can symbolize different meanings for each egg, such as chickens symbolizing fertility, while roosters symbolize masculinity and strength. Colors are also equally important in the creation of Pysanky Eggs.
They can contain different symbols as well, depending on the color combinations. Over time people have come to believe that the more colors the egg would have, the more good luck will be bestowed on the person.
Today, this tradition still lives on in different Ukrainian families and organizations, with some using this art form to raise funds for humanitarian efforts in the country.
Passion for carving eggs
This may not be an Easter tradition as the previous two, but Filipino artist Danny Rayos del Sol uses an unlikely medium for his sculptures: Ostrich Eggs. He had discovered this form of art during one of his lowest points and initially did this as a form of therapy. Soon enough though, he slowly realized his passion for this type of art. In 2007, he debuted with his first solo exhibit titled “Whimsy,” which was a hit with all the critics. From then on, he has showcased his works in various exhibits around the world, from Hong Kong to New York City.
His exhibits usually portray different aspects of our Filipino culture, from figures in Christianity to the diverse flora and fauna of our country. He creates unique pieces that reflect Filipino aesthetics and ethnicity.
Throughout all his works, he takes pride in his faith. “This art brought me out of the situation, and miseries I had before. And so it’s my way of thanking the Lord—by spreading his good news through my artwork,” Danny Rayos del Sol ended.
Today, as one of the curators for the longest-running art fair in the Philippines, he exhibits his works as part of the ManilART fair and serves as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts committee head on art galleries.
All across these eggs signify the celebration of the stories of people and places from different points in history. Let us always remember this joyous spirit as we spend this day with our loved ones. Happy Easter to all!