Kraslice - Czech Easter Eggs

 

An egg decorated in floral and leaf motifs with bold colors such as reds, blues, and yellows with a cream color base.

Kraslice is a hand-painted egg made for the Easter Sunday tradition. Girls would boil, decorate, and deliver eggs to boys on Easter. These eggs were often coated in intricate geometric designs, floral motifs, or snowflake patterns and presented bold colors. Some eggs that had more intricate artwork had the yolk blown out to better preserve the egg as they were used in rituals, as decorations, or sold in markets. There were many methods used in decoration: beeswax, onion peels, straw, watercolor, and flower petals. 

The most popular color would be red, which was obtained from onion skins. Eggs were often boiled with botanicals to not only cook the egg but also achieve color. Other colors included: 

  • Dark red or brown onion skins

  • Black: oak or alder bark or walnut shells

  • Gold: apple tree bark or marigold flowers

  • Violet: mallow flower petals

  • Green: rye shoots or periwinkle leaves

  • Pink: beat juice

Some eggs were also layered in beeswax. This process stopped color from reaching the surface of the egg, which allowed for overlaying different patterns or colors. The wax would be peeled off to reveal the intricate pattern afterward. Wax-type eggs were often believed to have magic protection and were often used for ritualistic purposes as they symbolized spring, protection, and fertility.

An egg presenting a bold orange color with intricate white overlays and floral patterns

ARTIST

Unknown

TITLE

Kraslice

DATE

Unknown

MEDIUM

Eggs decorated in bold colors and intricate patterns or designs

DIMENSIONS

Unknown

CREDIT LINE

CURRENT LOCATION

Czech Center Museum 4920 San Jacinto St. Houston, TX 77004
Third Floor

ACCESSION NUMBER

CLASSIFICATION

PROVENANCE

Unknown