George Washington and Great Seal of the United States Engraved Ostrich Egg.

[WASHINGTON, George].

$7,500.00

Item Number: 119684

Rare ostrich egg engraved with a portrait of George Washington, the Washington Coat of Arms, the Great Seal of the United States, and the Masonic compass and trowel. Mounted on a decorative brass stand. From the collection of former four-term United States Senator Lloyd Millard Bentsen who ran as the Democratic Party nominee for vice president in 1988 on the Michael Dukakis ticket and served as the the 69th United States Secretary of the Treasury under President Bill Clinton. As a primary architect of the Clinton economic plan, Bentsen contributed to a $500 billion reduction in the deficit, launching the longest period of economic growth since World War II. More than 5 million new jobs were created during his tenure as Secretary. Bentsen was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999. In fine condition. A unique piece of Americana and with noted provenance.

The art of decorating, trading, and gifting ostrich eggs as luxury items and extravagant gifts dates back to over five thousand years ago during the Bronze and Iron Ages. The tradition evolved over centuries into the custom of the Easter egg, which itself can be traced to early Christians of Mesopotamia from where it spread into Eastern Europe and Siberia through the Orthodox Churches, and later into Europe through the Catholic and Protestant Churches.