Original British South Africa Boer War Painted Souvenir Ostrich Egg On Silver Display Stand Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic souvenir item dating back towards the later part of the Boer Wars. The egg features a lovely rider on horseback with the Jedburgh motto “Strenue et Prospere”, which translates to Earnestly and Successfully. The Boer War or the South African War dates from 1899 – 1902 and was fought between the British Empire and two independent Boer states, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State. The origins of the war were complex and stemmed from more than a century of conflict between the Boers and Britain’s imperial influence in South Africa.
Decorated ostrich eggs were traded around the Mediterranean during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Research on their origins has focused primarily on decorative techniques and iconography to characterize the producers, workshops and trade routes, thereby equating decorative styles with cultural identities and geographic locations. While this egg isn’t nearly as old, the tradition still carried on into the Victorian Age up into the 21st Century.

This egg was more than likely drained of its contents, fed hungry soldiers and then decorated to either be carried home or sent home when able. The egg is undamaged aside from the intentional hole made in the bottom. The painted artwork is in fantastic condition with all colors and paint retained quite nicely. The egg rests on a beautifully handcrafted silver plate base which appears to have been constructed from utensils and possibly a napkin ring, giving this item an even more personal touch!

A lovely example that comes more than ready for further research and display.