Hundred year-old creations are a cracking Easter eggs-hibit

At almost a century old, these colourful decorative creations could be among the oldest Easter eggs in Leeds.

The cardboard eggs date from the 1920s and are part of a special Easter display in Leeds City Museum’s exciting For All Seasons exhibition.

The lavishly-painted eggs would originally have been filled with gifts and chocolate and are displayed alongside even older, wooden eggs dating from the late 1800s.

For All Seasons, which can be found in the museum’s special exhibitions gallery and is free to enter, features a huge variety of objects which reflect the different ways the changing seasons affect the way we live.

Ruth Martin, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of exhibitions, said: “Easter is one of our most celebrated and vibrant seasonal traditions and that’s reflected in the eye-catching objects we have on display.

“These eggs in particular show how the traditions of Easter have evolved over different eras and generations, from these delicate, decorative eggs to the chocolate ones we all enjoy today. They also demonstrate how the arrival of spring inspires positivity, creativity and colour.”

Other objects on display as part of the exhibition illustrate different elements of spring, summer, autumn and winter.

They include delicate ceramics, array of British wildlife, historic seasonal fashions as well as paintings by famous Leeds artists John Atkinson Grimshaw.

They are displayed around imaginative centrepieces including a giant sandcastle, indoor tree, traditional sledge and hook-a-duck pond.

The exhibition is also accompanied by specially-recorded classical piano sheet music from the museum’s collection.

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said:

“I’m sure visitors and families will have a lot of fun exploring the many features that make spring, summer, autumn and winter so unique and learning how they come together to shape our year.”

For All Seasons runs until August 28. For more details about the exhibition and the programme of activities, please visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/Seasons.aspx

ENDS