GILT BRONZE EASTER EGG WITH SCENES OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST AND THE RESURRECTION. RUSSIA, LATE 19TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY

A gilt bronze Easter egg decorated with relief Gospel compositions, created in Russia in the late 19th - early 20th century. The object represents a refined example of Russian decorative and applied art of the Historicism period and the tradition of creating cabinet objects of Orthodox devotion.

The surface of the egg is adorned with two multi-figure relief scenes revealing the central meaning of the Easter cycle. One side depicts the composition “The Descent from the Cross”, symbolising the Passion of Christ, the redemptive sacrifice and the completion of the Saviour’s earthly journey. The opposite side presents “The Resurrection of Christ”, the central event of the Christian faith and the principal symbol of the Easter celebration.

The masterful modelling of the reliefs, expressive figures, finely detailed folds of the garments and complex spatial composition demonstrate the influence of the 19th-century academic artistic tradition. The rich sculptural quality of the form and the solemn decorative character of the object reflect Neo-Baroque features characteristic of Russian art during the Historicism period.

The object was intended as an Easter gift, a cabinet devotional piece, or an element of a private Orthodox interior, combining the function of a commemorative work of art with the spiritual symbolism of the Resurrection of Christ.

Marks: No visible marks.

Dimensions: Height: 13 cm. Diameter: 10 cm.

Condition: Very good condition. Minor signs of age. The gilding is well preserved, and the relief compositions retain their clarity and expressive quality.