Unpainted ostrich egg on brass stand. Brass stand in form of three antelope facing outward, horns curved back, upon which the ostrich egg rests. Stand made in Taiwan, mid-20th Century.

Condition: Hairline crack on egg. 

Size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 9 in. 

#2538 . 

The egg of the ostrich is the largest of any living bird, and the shell has a long history of use by humans as a container and for decorative artwork. The eggs are not commonly eaten, with the yolk being the equivalent of 25 regular-sized chicken egg yolks. Also, the eggs are assiduously guarded by the mother and father ostriches, which possess toe claws four inches long and can kick with nearly 2,000 pounds of force. This makes the taking of them also a rite of passage in some cultures, as surviving the encounter is not guaranteed. Unfortunately, their rich nutrients make them highly desirable to predators; fewer than 10% of nests survive the 9 week period of laying and incubation, and of the surviving chicks only 15% of those survive to 1 year of age. A possible origin for the myth that ostriches bury their heads in sand to avoid danger lies with the fact that ostriches keep their eggs in holes in the sand instead of nests, and must rotate them using their beaks during incubation, keeping their heads down in the sand. Ostrich eggshells were used as containers in North Africa as early as the 4th Millennium BC and in the Royal Cemetery at Ur from the 3rd Millennium. During the European Renaissance ostrich eggs were mounted in silver as goblets for display in cabinets of curiosities. Decorated eggs continue to be widely displayed in Eastern Orthodox churches, and their ancient symbolism and idolatry may be directly responsible for modern traditions surrounding Easter eggs. The shell of the egg is still considered ideal for painting and decoration, as the weight of an adult ostrich laying on it is usually around 300 pounds, making it difficult to crush or destroy while handling.

Hairline crack on egg.