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 benefactors on the first day of the New Year and on birthdays. Instead of colored or painted chicken eggs, wealthy people often presented golden or gilded eggs that symbolize the Sun. For our ancestors, an egg served as a symbol of life – it contained the embryo of the solar bird, a Rooster, which woke up the Morning.

The tradition of exchanging painted eggs on Easter has long roots in Russia. Easter eggs were made of various 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 Armory and the Icon painting workshops in the large monasteries. It was from there that carved wood or bone eggs, richly painted and intricately decorated Easter accessories were delivered to the imperial court, as well as to the noble boyar families. From the middle of the 18^th century, eggs were made of glass and porcelain, and the Imperial Porcelain Factory accounted for the bulk of the 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 hung under icons. A little later, Easter eggs made of papier-mâché from 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 jewelry 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 the Easter eggs made to order of the imperial family in the workshops of Carl Fabergé. It was there that they began to create Easter eggs-­surprises: with winding mechanisms, 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 kinds of Easter souvenirs: miniature pendants, shot glasses-transformers in the form of Easter eggs decorated with enamels, amazing egg-caskets, and distinctive compositions in the form of an Easter egg with secrets. The exposition features both kind of Easter souvenirs – made by the old school classical craftsmen (Alexander Lyubavin, Orest Kurlyukov, Pavel Ovchinnikov, etc.) and works by our contemporaries (masters of “the new wave" from the European lapidary art center – the German city of Idar-Oberstein).

Today, on Easter-ale, one of the oldest Christian holidays and the main event of the clerical year we offer you to watch two videos dedicated to 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" presents a great opportunity for children to change their activity and relax. Colouring 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 congratulations card.

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