An egg has long been the symbol of Easter. Since ancient times, an egg symbolizes the spring sun – the source of life, flow of time and rebirth of nature, the inalterability of the world structure; brightness and grandeur, warmth and light, happiness and success. It was once customary to offer an egg as a gift to the pagan gods, to give eggs to friends and relatives on the first day of the New Year and on birthdays. Instead of painted chicken eggs, wealthy people often presented gold or gilded eggs that symbolized the Sun. For our ancestors, the egg served as a symbol of life, as it holds the embryo of the sun bird, a rooster, which woke up the morning. The tradition of exchanging painted eggs on Easter is deeply rooted in Russia. Easter eggs were made of multifarious materials and in a great variety of techniques. In Russia, from the beginning of the 17^th century, the main producers of those Easter souvenirs were the Armoury Chamber and Icon painting workshops in the major monasteries. It was from there that the tsar's court, as well as the noble boyar families, were supplied with Easter decorations carved from wood or bone, richly painted and intricately decorated. From the middle of the 18^th century eggs began to be made of glass and porcelain, and the Imperial Porcelain Factory accounted for the bulk of orders. It is interesting that in the early 19^th century, hanging porcelain eggs were very popular; they were decorated with elegant silk ribbons and were hung under icons. A little later, Easter eggs made of papier-mâché made in the lacquer miniature workshops of Palekh, Mstyora and Fedoskino came into fashion.

Since the middle of the 19^th century, the production of Easter souvenirs became one of the important areas of work of various jewellery workshops. The items were made of silver and gold, decorated with enamel, beads, filigree and precious stones. Sometimes artisans experimented with non-traditional materials. It could be rock crystal or fine wood. The best known were Easter eggs commissioned by the imperial family in the workshops of Carl Fabergé. It was there that they began to create Easter eggs-­surprises: with spring-driven movement, miniature figures, portrait medallions. The highest technique of execution, abundance of finishing, skills and imagination of craftsmen –all this became the key to the worldwide recognition.

The museum Collection exposition features various kind of Easter souvenirs: miniature pendants, shot glasses-transformers in the form of Easter eggs decorated with enamels, amazing egg-caskets, and distinctive Easter egg shaped compositions with secrets. The exposition features both – Easter souvenirs made by the old school classical craftsmen (Alexander Lyubavin, Orest Kurlyukov, Pavel Ovchinnikov, etc.) and items created by our contemporaries (“the new wave" artisans from the European lapidary art center, the German city Idar-Oberstein).

Today, on the Bright day of Crist Resurrection, Easter – one of the oldest Christian holidays and the main event of the year for Orthodox Christians, we offer you to watch two videos featuring the Easter souvenirs from the museum Collection section “Decorative Arts and Jewellery” posted in our Video Archive and the thematic album "Easter Souvenirs from the museum Collection  – in our Photo Gallery.

Colouring album "Easter Souvenirs"  is a great opportunity for children to have a change of activity and relaxation. Colouring of pictures is a cognitive and very interesting process that fascinates kids and completely occupies their attention. You can choose your favourite images, colour them or make your own greeting card.

Let our publications dealing with Easter souvenirs presented in the museum Collection, put you in the mood for a festive celebration.

On the cover: Set with Easter egg ‘Moon and Stars’, Emile Becker, by Manfred Wild. Idar-Oberstein, Germany, mid-20^th century