Amazing Ostrich Egg White Jewelry Boxes

Have you ever seen beaded, gilded, or hand-carved ostrich egg white jewelry boxes? I came across some in a jewelry store in an upscale mall the other day. Let me tell you, they were breathtaking! I couldn't believe that something so simple and fragile as an eggshell could be turned into such a fabulous work of art.

I just had to examine them, and I asked how these wonders were created! Each empty shell begins by being cut and hinged. One was cut width-wise with the narrower side positioned as the lid, and two others were cut length-wise. One of the eggs cut length-wise was designed to stand upright and hinge open like the door of a wardrobe, and the second was fashioned to lay flat along its side. All three were exquisite.

The first ostrich egg was beaded by hand using all sorts of beading to create a delicate flowery pattern. It contained brilliant beads, flat black pearls, and colorful rhinestones. It was lined with a soft flower-patterned tapestry, and the whole thing sat atop a gold-plated egg stand for a stunning display.

The other two jewelry boxes were a bit less extravagant beading-wise, but gorgeous nonetheless. The upright egg was more of a jewelry stand designed to stay propped open. It was carved by hand with some really fantastic carvings of what looked to be ocean waves and seashells and some ocean birds. It was left mostly unadorned to let the carvings speak for themselves. But the artist used silver for the hinge and clasp, and to frame the edges of the two halves of the shell. A carved silver knob at the top served as the handle of the lid. I was amazed at the delicate handiwork! It takes a practiced eye to visualize those details, and a steady hand to carve just the right amount off the shell without breaking it. The egg had several hooks inside ready for hanging necklaces and bracelets, and a padded bottom to hold a few rings.

The final ostrich egg was just as elegant as the other white jewelry boxes, decorated with patterns of swirling gold-plating around its top, and a more robust bottom-half wrapped of gold-plating as well. It featured a gold-plated music box as its base that played Somewhere Over the Rainbow (can you believe that? it was so precious!), and a jeweled crown at the top as a handle. A good portion of the gold plating was carved in wispy filigree, and was just so beautiful to look at and run my fingers over.

What a treat to find these jewelry boxes! And yes, their prices reflected their artistry. I think the cheapest one was about $450 USD! But I'll tell you, I am hard pressed not to dive into my "vacation fund" in order to purchase one! It was really a delight to look at the display, and I went right home to look up hand carved ostrich egg jewelry boxes, jewelry stands, and any other eggshell jewelry I could find.

I am an author at TheAttic.Joboworld.com, where we review and discuss all sorts great things. If you liked this article on WHITE JEWELRY BOXES then you really must check out some of our other featured articles at The Attic about pool table lights, rocking chairs, and jewelry boxes, too!

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