Alexandra International

The “egg” is an ancient sign of renewal and rebirth.   In a Christian context it is a sign of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.  St Augustine described Christ bursting forth from the tomb as a chick emerging from an egg.  In the Eastern Church “red” (a very powerful color) is the liturgical color for Pascha.  At the end of the Paschal Liturgy the priest gives each person three kisses on alternating cheeks and  a “red” colored egg  with the greeting “Christ is Risen!  Indeed He Is Risen!?

To celebrate the Pascal season, ladies in Old Russia would collect and wear miniature jewelry eggs on necklaces.  Originally the eggs were made out of wood or porcelain.  Around 1845 jewelers in St Petersburg began making them in silver with enamel.  There two types of enamel work executed in St Petersburg were GUILLOCHE ENAMEL and RUSSIAN SHADED ENAMEL

This Cross and egg are of “guilloche enamel.”  This is a French technique which was widely used in Europe and brought to St Petersburg by foreign jewelers invited by Peter the Great.  The best known of the jewelers that made these types of eggs is the Faberge Firm.