The Hen was elaborated with exceptional skill, but the idea of Easter gifts in the shape of an egg was not new to Russia. It existed since the 18th century at least. In the royal treasury there are Easter eggs, made of porcelain, exotic mother-of-pearl shells and ostrich eggs.
Not rich people exchanged the eggs made of wood, paper mache, chocolate, porcelain and silver. With these eggs, they also decorated houses, hanging them under the icons during holidays.