HISTORY

The ostrich is the largest flightless bird known to man. Ostriches are indigenous to Africa. A fully grown male reaches a height of 2,5 m, weighing up to 155 kg. In captivity it has a life span of up to 50 years. They live in flocks of 5 to 50.

The ostrich lays the largest egg in the world, averaging 150 mm in length, 125 mm in diameter and weighing up to 1,35 kg.The incubation period is approximately 40 days.

The males fight to retain their harem, emitting a roar and hissing sound whilst fighting. The harem consists of 3 to 5 hens which lay their eggs in a communal nest containing 15 to 60 eggs. By day the females take turns to brood the eggs, while the male does so by night.

When frightened, an ostrich has a tendency to lie on the ground with its neck stretched flat along the ground, hence the legend that an ostrich buries its head at the sight of danger.

An ostrich's feet consists of two toes with the main toe developed into a structure resembling a hove which makes it possible for the bird to reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. This toe also serves as a formidable defensive weapon. It has been said that a full grown male can kill a lion.

The ostrich plays a prominent feature in Bushman (San) life. Hunters use ostrich eggshells as water carriers while the women use them to make beads, utensils and other decorative items, some for domestic use and others for barter. Eggshell specimens dating back more than 40 000 years have been found in the Border Cave in Kwazulu-Natal South Africa.

Their feathers have been an esteemed ornament amongst the nobility of both Africa and Europe for centuries.

Ostrich farming within the Klein-Karoo (small Karoo) started round 1857-1863. In the early 1880's ostrich feathers were the 4th most important commodity of the Cape colony till the collapse of the market in 1914. This only started to recover in 1946.

At present the ostrich used is not of wild stock but consists of hybrids between the Cape ostrich and various north African varieties.

The Start of the KRUGER EGG

My love of the Bush, my background in horticulture and travels with a Botanist led me to the fascinating ways that the San Bushman use the African Ostrich.

THE EGG

An Ostrich chick hatches with an incredible large foot and muscle to enable him to break through this incredibly hard shell. It takes approximately 36 hours for a little chick to peck his way into this world. The large muscle disappears after about 12 hours.

Krugereggs are a continuation of this tradition and the egg has practical uses as well as being prized as ornamental ones.

The Krugeregg is an ideal Gift for woman. They feature the most beautiful African wildlife, that captures the very essence of the African bush and the unique African gift you can get, and it is genuine African Art. The workshop of artisan Silversmith Dalene Kruger is located in Hermanus, Cape Province, South Africa. She carefully selects each ostrich egg, then she hand cuts them, sands them and then chemically treats them so you can use it in the kitchen, she does!! She then handcrafts the silver work on each egg in beautiful Sterling Silver, which is also mined in Africa. It is a product of the very ancient African cultures that came before it. Each Egg is different in shape and size, so they cannot be mass-produced.

The African designs feature the main African Animals such as the Elephant, Kudu, Buffalo, Leopard and of course the Bushman, all made in beautiful Sterling Silver.
Dalene also has a marine selection of Dolphin, Whale, Salmon, Bass and Trout.

WHO OWNS A KRUGER EGG

How special are Krugereggs. They have been purchased for England’s Royal Family. In fact they are owned by royalty in several countries. They have been purchased as gifts for a King, a Queen and a Prince, in fact even as a thank you gift for the royal nanny to Prince William. Also they are bought as gifts for Head of States, Government Ministers and many more. Exclusive tourist resorts and game parks also sell her creations.

CARING INSTRUCTIONS

Hand Wash
Clean silver with any silver dip solution by brushing with a soft brush, rinse and dry.
NOT suitable for the oven, microwave or dishwasher
Treat like any good crockery or glassware. Can withstand medium temperatures.

PACKAGING

All the eggs are individually wrapped and beautifully boxed making them exquisite gifts.
Orders take 4-6 weeks for delivery.
All prices excluded postage and packaging and are subject to change without notice.