Hand-painted Russian egg, Holy Family, 14 in

Hand-painted Russian egg, Holy Family, 14 in. An entirely hand-painted Russian icon egg on wood depicting the Holy Family. This natural wood egg portrays the Holy Family united in a loving embrace. The egg has been hand-painted by the finest Russian painters specialised in freehand painting of the miniature school, originating from the Imperial Russia era. These skilled artists have the ability to give the icon distinctive expressive attitudes and micro-details, such as eyes painted with a single-hair brush, using a magnifying lens. Delicate layers of gold leaf are applied with extreme care to the halos through multiple intricate steps. Only the most experienced painters can master this technique, as the risk of the gold leaf wrinkling or damage is quite high. The complete egg with pedestal measures 14.2 inches in height, while the egg alone is 9.1 inches tall and has a diameter of 5.5 in. The egg is a universal symbol of life, but when placed on a pedestal, it acquires a different meaning, becoming a symbol of the delicate balance of our lives. By giving this egg to a loved one, you will wish them to make the right choices to achieve personal equilibrium.