International Luxury Design: Handcrafted Eggshell Countertops

Skilled craftsmen recently completed three bespoke bar tops for Kata Rocks, the award-winning luxury resort in Phuket, Thailand which is built as a flagship of international luxury design.  Measuring 14 metres in total, pieces were created at workshops in the Great Karoo desert of South Africa, and then shipped all the way to Thailand’s Kata Rocks luxury resort. The main feature of this spectacular piece is an ostrich egg shell design; the veneer (cover) is arranged in a mosaic pattern.

Artisans who made the bar tops, define true luxury as “the complete harmony between craftsmanship and nature.” Design firm Avoova, is the largest private employer in a town otherwise prone to high unemployment. No birds are harmed, nor eggs unnaturally cracked in the making of their luxury African crafts, gifts or accessories; artisans only employ eggs that have previously delivered a newborn baby bird.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT OSTRICHES, ANYWAYS?

Ostriches have inspired cultures and civilizations for 5,000 years, since the peak of Mesopotamia and Egypt.  In Ancient Egypt, this fascinating bird held immense spiritual and religious significance. Its feathers were associated with the goddess Maat and symbolized truth (due to their lightness).

Their giant eggs are the largest of any living bird, and one egg typically weighs the same as two dozen chicken eggs! Ostriches are clever animals, their eggs are incubated by sand-colored females by day, and dark-colored males by night. In doing so, they protect their beloved nest from hungry predators.

Humanity’s historical relationship with the bird and its giant egg is rich. The bushmen of the Kalahari appear to be the first group that appreciated ostrich eggs shells, and are said to have used them for water vessels over 50,000 years ago.

Ostrich plumes were said to be found on the tomb of Tutankhamun, Roman emperors, Napoleon, and Queen Victoria. Today, ostrich feathers are often used in pillows.

WE STILL USE THEM TODAY…

Today, the egg shells offer a beautiful organic material. Its qualities are: hard, thick, water resistant and it has a tender ivory colour. Therefore, it makes for a very resilient, functional and heat resistant surface with both artistic and traditional appeal.

Therefore in this contemporary era, many discerning luxury aficionados use the ostrich egg veneer. Especially leading international luxury design architects and interior designers, art collectors, presidents and prime ministers.

Beyond their specially well-known ostrich eggs, ostriches are world record-holders in many areas.

Here are the top 10 ostrich facts, about this incredible bird:
1. Fastest two-legged animal on land
2. World’s largest bird
3. Ostriches can go without drinking for several days
4. They are used for the sport of ostrich-back racing (mostly in Africa)
5. Their legs are so powerful, that kicks can kill a human or lion
6. They have a huge wing span of two metres, however they cannot fly
7. Unique for birds, the males have a copulatory organ
8. They have the largest eye of any land animal
9. Known for laying the largest bird eggs
10. They have only two toes, which resemble horse hooves