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Political Influences on Russian Easter Egg-Giving

© Elizabeth Nordhausen

The political history in Russia greatly influenced the materials used in making Easter eggs which were distributed as gifts. Up until the 17th century, eggs were carved from wood, stone and bone. Gold and beads were used to decorate the eggs given by the wealthier class in Russia. Under the serfdom system, peasants exchanged pisanki or painted eggs and krashenski or dyed eggs made from poultry eggs. The methods used to decorate the peasant eggs remained unchanged over the centuries. However, for the aristocracy in Russia the decorations and materials used to create lovely gifts for friends and family varied according the style at that particular time.

Under Ivan II, the term Tsar began to be used for the absolute ruler in Russia. The materials used to make Easter egg gifts and their decorations varied with each Tsar. The most marked change in Easter egg designs came about when Peter the Great reformed Russia economically and allowed western European influences into Russia. During the time the Mongols controlled Russia for 200 years, the art reforms that occurred in Western Europe did not reach Russia before the 18th century.

The new capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, was established by Peter the Great and was a symbol of the end of Russia's isolation from the rest of the Europe. Porcelain, glass, and paper-mache were new materials introduced into the designs of Easter eggs at that time. A new porcelain factory was founded in St. Petersburg in the 18th century and Easter eggs were introduced into the Russian Royal Court, many of them made from porcelain. Each member of the Royal Family received an Easter egg as a gift from other members of the Royal Family according to rank. These eggs became known as the Imperial Easter Eggs and became symbols not only of the Russian Orthodox religion widely accepted in Russia, but also of the absolute power the Tsars enjoyed over Russia, even over the church.

Most of the Easter eggs given shortly after the porcelain factory was established were still quite religious in nature. Around the beginning of the 20th century, the Imperial Eggs became adorned with gold and jewels and often contained an imprint of the Tsar's monogram. Particularly interesting was the Easter eggs mass-produced for soldiers who fought in World War I. Soldiers received an egg decorated with the Tsar's monogram and wounded soldiers an egg with a Red Cross. The La Vielle Russie website at http://www.alvr.com/eggs/easter4.html is a wonderful site to find out more about Imperial Easter eggs and the decoration variations for different eras in Russian history.

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