Ostrich Egg Art
Regular chicken eggs are known for their fragility. They break so easily, especially during that egg toss game we all had to play when we were children… at least here in the US.
But ostrich eggs are quite a bit stronger. They’re about 2mm thick on average (the strongest of any egg) and can withstand several hundred pounds of weight, which is probably why they made such great vessels for ancient cultures for things like drinking, eating, and serving food.
The curious practice of painting and decorating ostrich eggs dates back to as early as 5000 BC to 4000 BC when they were placed in graves in various cultures including Egypt, Nubia, Greece, and Mesopotamia as a symbol of both eternal life and to provide food for the deceased.
They carry great spiritual significance as well and are historically associated with prosperity, rebirth, truth, and life. The European Journal of Jewish Studies notes their symbolic use and the custom of hanging ostrich eggs in synagogues in countries such as Yemen and across Israel.
Today ostrich egg painting and carving remain a popular art form, with artists using various techniques and decorative styles to create intricate designs on these beautiful and unique canvases.
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Article References:
Ostrich Eggs by Penn.Museum
Myths in the Museum: The Iron Eater and the Osterich Egg by UCL
Ostrich Eggs as a Conceptual Symbolic Accessory in Jewish Synagogues by the European Journal of Jewish Studies
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