Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Eggs

June 17, 2017 to October 22, 2017

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Featuring more than seventy finely painted porcelain Easter eggs dating from the nineteenth century through the early twentieth century, this exhibition highlights the tradition of exchanging exquisite, decorative eggs among the Russian royalty and aristocracy at Easter. The intricate eggs were commissioned by the Romanov family from the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg as gifts presented to those in attendance at the Imperial Court and at the festive rituals held throughout Easter time.

Encompassing a wide range of styles from Baroque to Rococo and Art Nouveau, the elaborate designs include a variety of motifs: religious miniatures; flowers, birds, and other themes from nature; landscapes and city scenes; ornamentation derived from medieval and Old Russian designs; and imperial monograms. The exhibition includes a special selection of Red Cross Easter eggs presented by members of the Imperial family to soldiers and officers during World War I.

All of the Easter eggs and accompanying documentary materials on display are on loan from the remarkable private collection of Raymond Piper from Plymouth, Wisconsin.

Tuesday–Sunday
11:00 am–4:00 pm