Ostrich Eggs

An image of two large eggs. They are white. One is sitting on a clear stand. The other in front has a lot of brown speckling and crack lines.
Ostrich eggs from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: Africa, possibly Somalia or Kenya 
Year: ca. 1900 
Materials: Egg   

During his time in east Africa Ronald Harris collected innumerable artifacts, ranging from large game trophies to daggers.  The two ostrich eggs date from his contract with the Cecil Rhodes company, in which he sought for diamond and gold deposits fit for mining. 

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.