Handmade Wooden Egg

With carefully chosen woods of various hues, artist Ira Blount (1918-2020) seamlessly layered and rounded them into this subtly striped egg. At its apex, thin blond wood trims a wider band of deep brown. Ornamental eggs have origins in Russian and Ukrainian Easter traditions, though they are typically painted or decorated. In allowing natural colors and grains to serve as the egg’s decoration, Blount demonstrates his appreciation for wood’s inherent beauty.

After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Ira Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.