Cathedral and Council hatch plan to display Silver Egg
Winchester Cathedral is to display the Millennium Egg in their Treasury display case after being presented with the egg as the winner of the Business Excellence Award in June of this year.
The egg was presented to Stuart Vause the MD of Winchester Cathedral Enterprises by Simon Eden Chief Executive of Winchester City Council and Jeremy France jeweller for services to the local economy and community.
The egg was made in 2000 by Jeremy France Jewellers; taking inspiration from the Fabergé eggs of Imperial Russia and the association of the egg with rebirth. It is solid silver with gold gilt and both the inside and outside of the egg are decorated with motifs representing Winchester and Hampshire. The egg forms part of the City’s historic civic silver collection, which is cared for by the museums service.
Councillor Patricia Stallard, portfolio holder for heritage, culture and sport commented, “This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to view one of the City’s fine civic treasures that would otherwise be locked away in a vault”.
The Winchester Cathedral Treasury, located above the west entrance of the Cathedral, contains a selection of historic silverware from churches within Hampshire and is open to the public 10:00am to 4:30pm daily (except Sundays when it is closed). The egg will be on display until 16th May 2008.