Piero della Francesca's symbolic egg (2013)

The following quick post was prompted by my reading of Christian vs Islamic Art: Flesh vs Word - by Prof. Monica Bowen at Albertis Window (link). The open access reference included below addresses another, lesser known example of a visual similarity between Islamic and Christian art - in this case the use of ornamental egg-shaped objects suspended within sacred buildings.

The interpretation of symbols in their art historical context, known as iconography can be a challenging field of study. In examining the symbols used by artists, the viewer must aim to understand the context in which these images are used, and how these objects relate to the patron, the scene depicted and the intended location of the work. Certain symbols are more commonly encountered, such as the attribute of a saint, often continuing a tradition of depiction that can be traced back into early Christian art, or beyond into antiquity. Others symbols are more esoteric, placed as markers to denote a specific patron or event. Some of these are more easily identifiable, such as a coat of arms or symbolic animal, whereas others continue to elude scholars.

Fissiraga Tomb Fresco. After 1375

One such enduring mystery is the egg suspended from the ceiling in Piero della Francesca's Montefeltro Altarpiece. A cursory analysis may state that the egg is well known symbol of fertility and birth - a suitable motif for a painting featuring the Christ child. Other readings see this object as a large pearl, which along with the shell represented in the architectural features behind may represent the purity of the Virgin. However, a look at the history of the use of eggs suspended in Churches pre-dates the Renaissance, and can also be seen in Islamic images.

click to enlarge

Those curious to learn more are encouraged to read the wonderful open access article by Sebastian Bock - hosted by the University of Heidelberg Library digital archive. It provides an overview of the range of interpretations offered for this work, and includes Bock's own analysis, tempered by his familiarity with the use of ostrich eggs in a medieval context. See sources below for relevant links.

I am particularly interested in learning more about the use of these eggs within an Islamic context and welcome any references or links readers may offer. Please leave comments below.

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Please see comments below for some fascinating links and resources. The fabulous overview posted at Japanese Mythology and Foklore  is also highly recommended (link). The ostrich egg as a symbolic object seems to have an amazingly deep history, with markings being found on eggs from 60,000 years ago.

 60,000 year old marked ostrich eggs. Image via Fortean Times

Many thanks to all the commenters, and particularly to Sedef Piker and Karen Barrett-Wilt for providing further detail on these eggs in an Islamic context. The following image is from Edirne Mosque in Turkey, showing an ostrich egg above a light fixture.

Sources

Bock, S. The "egg" of the Pala Montefeltro and its symbolic meaning. 2002. University of Heidleberg Library website

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Prest, T. The Ostrich Egg. Posted at  Idle Speculations. October 22, 2011.

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Hanging eggs, Cosmic Egg myths and excavated ostrich eggs across Near East, Old Europe and Eurasia. Posted at Japanese Mythology and Folklore. (link) Very useful post compiling many sources exploring the appearance of the ostrich egg across the art and archaeology of several cultures.

Sieveking, P.  Birth of Symbolic Thought. Fortean Times. September 2010. 

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Image Notes

*Montefeltro Altarpiece aka Brera Madonna.  Piero della Francesca. c.1472-4. Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.

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*Antonio dei Fissiraga Tomb Fresco. After 1372. San Francesco in Lodi.  source: see Bock article

*San Zaccaria Altarpiece. Giovanni Bellini. 1505. San Zaccaria, Venice.

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*Apparition of the Crucified of Mount Ararat in the Church of Sant' Antonio di Castello. Carpaccio (and workshop). After 1511. Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice.

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*The Prophet Muhammad in a Mosque. Siyer-i Nebi. c.1595

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*Mounted Ostrich Eggs - St. Antony Monastery at the Red sea. source: see Bock article

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