Dubai (PTI): A unique exhibition of egg art by the spouse of a senior Indian diplomat in Saudi Arabia has caught the attention of art connoisseurs and the public at Jeddah's Reda Art Gallery.

The three-day public exhibition of egg art by Farha, wife of Indian Consul General Ausaf Sayeed, showcased carved and decorated eggs of ostrich, emu, rhea, goose and chicken. According to Farha, the art of egg decoration goes back to early civilisations, when eggs were coloured and used as gifts to celebrate many events.

"The high point of all time was reached in the fabulous egg-shaped treasures created by the imaginative goldsmith of Russia, Peter Carl Faberge and his meticulous artists and craftsmen.

"Their creations have provided inspiration to many real eggshell decorators all over the world," Farha said. She said the decorated eggs featured in the exhibition, inaugurated by Khaled Al Maeena, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News on Saturday, were individually hand crafted making each piece a masterpiece of its own kind, a press statement said.

Farha's maiden and full-fledged exhibition of Decorated Eggs and Silk Paintings was hosted by the Frederiksberg Commune, Denmark at Byggeriets Hus from April 8 to May 9, 2004.

A part of Farha's collection of decorated eggs was also displayed at the International Ramadan Exhibition "Ramadan around the World" held in Jeddah in October, 2005.