Over the last 20 years I’ve been lucky enough to turn a life-long interest in “old things†into my current day jobs – auctioneering in Emsworth Auctions and running an antiques & collectables shop, Emsworth Antiques Etc. in the town’s West Street.
Through these, I’m very aware of seasonal trends in gift-buying and personal treats for the buyer themselves.
Easter provides a lot of fun and variety around the traditional themes; not just the modern fashion for chocolate (even for those who haven’t given it up for Lent).
Images of eggs are a major influence – none more famous (or expensive) than the jewelled gifts produced by Faberge for the Russian royal family a hundred years ago.
On a more affordable level, we see colourful eggs made of all sorts of materials – cardboard with space for small sweet eggs inside; minerals from inexpensive coloured agates to highly prized blue john; Victorian eggs with scraps and prints, treen eggs made of turned wood and vintage ‘kitchenalia’ eggs to help reluctant hens lay.
Serving whole eggs at table has led to many useful and decorative devices being produced over the years - all of which have their fans and collectors: egg cups made from silver or silver plate, either individually or by the set; pottery or china eggs cups too; egg baskets, egg toppers and even egg spoons; egg coddlers of all sorts – from Royal Worcester to antique table-cookers with spirit burners beneath.
The way we have eaten our eggs for generations provides a fascinating snapshot of our society – from the nursery and ‘eggy soldiers’ through to the sophistication of picnics with quail’s eggs set like a sultan’s pearls in aspic jelly. So much tradition, variety and interest makes me wonder : we British – Are WE The REAL EGG & SPOON RACE?