#victorian easter

[ephemeraobscura]

“Dayton Spice Mills Co. Easter Rabbit” - trade card, c. 1800s. The back side advertises Jersey Coffee by Dayton Spice Mills Co. of Dayton, Ohio.

[pastelpresent]

Victorian Easter Pillar Candle, Easter Decorations, Pastel Easter Decor, Easter Mantle, Easter Candles, Easter Bunny Decor, Pastel Candle

[steampunk-and-junk]

During the Victorian Era, the celebration of Easter became more elaborate, adapting imagery from the pagan festival and other spring symbols (such as chicks). Candy making also became easier and more standardized due to the Industrial Revolution and many of what we now think of as traditional Easter candies were developed including the chocolate Rabbit  and Jelly Bean.

The first mention of egg shaped candies comes in 1820 from Guglielmo Jarrin, a self described “ornamental confectioner”. In his book, The Italian Confectioner, he describes hollow comfits, filled with trinkets. At that time a comfit was a spice, dried fruit or nut covered in a candy coating, similar to a Jordan almond. The creation of these eggs was a difficult business and would have been attempted by only the most skilled confectioner.

Many of these candies find their way into Easter Baskets. These, too hearken back to the days when the faithful would bring baskets of spring seedlings to the temple to be blessed by one of Goddess’ priests. A variation on this involves a Catholic tradition of taking the Easter food or eggs to mass to be blessed. - Jane Austen’s Easter

The 'Gatchina Palace' Faberge Egg