Easter Eggs and Witches

This Sunday marks Easter Sunday, which is celebrated by various cultures around the world. The most common tradition of egg-giving is a tradition that arrived in the U.S. in the 18th century. Originating from Protestant Germans in the Pennsylvania Dutch area who told their children of the "Osterhase" from Northwest European folklore, which then developed into the "Easter Bunny". According to the legend, only good children received gifts of eggs in the nests that they made in their caps and bonnets before Easter.

In the late 19th century Germans brought the tradition of the Easter Hare to Sweden. Due to a mistranslation of the Swedish word for the Easter Hare, Påskharen, sounding very similar to Påskkarlen, meaning the Easter Man, led to the Swedish legend of the Easter Wizard, who brings eggs to children for Easter. The result of this is that Swedish children still dress up today as witches and wizards for Easter.

According to Swedish folklore, the witches travelled on their broomsticks to Blåkulla where they would celebrate witches’ sabbath. This resulted in locals hiding their broomsticks In order to prevent usage by witches, and shooting guns into the air to try and scare them away. This developed into the modern tradition of letting off Easter firecrackers. Easter witches are now more commonly seen in the form of children dressed up as ”påskkärringar” (witch-like creatures) hunting for candy. 

A selection of original pendants By Carl Faberge, offered by  Michelle Jewellery

Limited edition Limoge silver Faberge egg box, offered by Mayfair Antiques

Van Cleef & Arpels 18c. gold coral duck dress clip, offered by Anthea AG Antiques Ltd

Vintage Daffodil plastic earings, offered by Unicorn

Vintage rabbit plastic brooch, offered by Unicorn

Royal Copenhagen porcelain easter egg, offered by Mayfair Antiques

Grays Easter Opening Hours:

 Good Friday 3rd April - CLOSED
Easter Saturday 4th April - 11am - 5pm
Easter Sunday 5th April - CLOSED
Easter Monday 6th April - CLOSED