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These alabaster eggs were hand carved (intagliato a mano) in Voltera, Italy from white alabaster and hand painted (dipinto a mano) and polished (raffinato) in vibrant colors. There are many theories as to why we color eggs; particularly at Easter (Pasqua) . Two of the most popular theories are as follows:
- The Christian custom (personalizzato) of sharing dyed and painted eggs at Easter time is based on the tradition (tradizione) that an egg and a chick (pulcino) bursting out from within, represents new life as did Christ (Cristo) bursting out from within the tomb. Thus the announcement "Christ is Risen" (Cristo è risorto) results from this belief.
- The Red Paschal Egg - A more complex explanation begins with the fact that Mary Magdalene, a woman of considerable social stature, was either invited to a banquet by the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar or simply showed up at one of his banquets. Regardless of how she gained access, the tradition goes on to say that while holding an egg in her hand she proclaimed to the Emperor that "Jesus Christ had risen from the tomb" ("Gesù Cristo era risorto dalla tomba"). Tiberius, scoffed at her and claimed that a man could no more likely rise from the dead (morti) as the egg she was holding in her hand could turn red. Before he finished his comments, the egg turned a bright red (rosso brillante). From that point forward, Mary Magdalene preached Christianity to Tiberius and his entire Court. This has lead to the custom of giving Paschal eggs to each other on the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Risurrezione di Gesù Cristo).
Scroll down to purchase individual eggs or save a few dollars and buy 1/2 dozen (6 eggs).
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