Russian Imperial Eggs

Russian Imperial Eggs lesson plan

Imagine the splendor of Imperial Russia! Recreate this lavish era with a jeweled egg crafted in the style of Fabergé.

  • 1.

    Imagine receiving a specially made, one–of-a-kind jeweled present every year. For Easter, Nicholas II, the last czar of the Russian empire, gave his wife and mother each such a gift, a bejeweled egg. Easter is an important holiday for the Russian Orthodox people and these eggs reflected that significance. Made by the French goldsmith and jeweler, Peter Carl Fabergé, the eggs were gilded, enameled gold. Besides jewels, often they had small portraits of family members or religious figures drawn on them. Some even opened with more jewels and figurines inside.

  • 2.

    The Russian Revolution in 1917 put an end to this lavish gift giving. Although similar eggs are made today, there were not many Imperial eggs made and most of those are in a collection in Moscow. Twelve are on display in New York City. Queen Elizabeth of England is a big collector too. Here’s one way to make your own bejeweled egg.

  • 3.

    <STRONG>Design your egg.</STRONG> Form Crayola Model Magic® into an egg. Air-dry it at least 24 hours.

  • 4.

    Add embellishments to your egg with Crayola Glitter Glue. Attach decorative craft items such as jewels and foil. Many eggs included the Czarina’s monogram or an important date.

  • 5.

    <STRONG>. Make a stand.</STRONG> Roll Model Magic around three toothpicks. Air-dry the legs.

  • 6.

    Cover your art area with newspaper. Paint the legs with gold Crayola Premier™ Tempera and brushes. Paint the bottom of the egg if you wish. Air-dry the paint.

  • 7.

    Secure the legs to the egg with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry before setting up a glittering display with your classmates’ eggs for all to see! Who will receive your beautiful gifts?

Benefits

  • Students gather information about the Imperial Court of Czarist Russia.
  • Students study the iconography of Fabergé eggs produced for the Czar.
  • Students reproduce a decorative egg in the Fabergé style.

Adaptations

  • Learn about the process of enameling. Study other cultures that make enamelware. How do they use this process? On what?
  • Many cultures adorn eggs, including ostrich eggs. Design a display of international egg artistry, such as Ukranian eggs.
  • Assessment: Consider the intricacy and uniqueness of each decorated egg.