There are many different types of egg art, which is the practice of decorating eggs to produce beautiful creative works. The practice of decorating eggs dates back prior to recorded history and is present in many cultures, frequently symbolizing life and renewal. The decorating process can involve blowing out the contents of an egg, thereby leaving the shell which can then be painted, carved, or beaded. Examples include Ukrainian “pysanky” eggs, and creations in the style of Faberge. The resulting creation can have a folk art feel to it or can be a dazzling item worth a great deal of money.
As a traditional form of artistry, egg art has been in existence in some form since before recorded history. In many cultures around the world, people have created unique works of art by decorating eggs and giving them to others as gifts. Frequently this practice is related to the season of spring, and the Christian holiday of Easter, and many types of bird egg can be used such as goose or ostrich. In many instances, the egg has a traditional symbolism, representing life, renewal, and rebirth or resurrection. The egg contents are usually removed by blowing them out through tiny pinholes in the shell prior to the decorating process.
One of the many forms of egg art is known as pysanky that it originated in the Ukraine. These eggs are usually very colorful, with deep rich hues of red, blue, and black as well as lighter shades like yellow for contrast. Designs are varied, but they can be geometric or feature themes from nature such as animals and floral plants. The egg art is created with a technique called wax resist, in which the design is made in layers. The first layer of the design is drawn on each egg in wax, the egg is then dipped in the lightest color dye, and the steps are repeated several times, thereby adding more detail and increasingly deeper hues. Only the parts of the egg that aren’t waxed absorb each new color, and finally the finished product is revealed after all the wax is removed.
Another form of egg art involves intricate carving of the shell, often creating incredibly detailed scenes on larger eggs. This can be done with hand tools, but contemporary laser cutting devices have increased the design possibilities. Delicate egg shells can be painted with colorful pictures and designs with precise details. Egg art can also be created in the style of Faberge by affixing gems or beads to the shells so that the creations resemble the famous jeweled eggs that were made for the Russian nobility in the time of the Czars.