Our exquisite hand-painted, collector's edition ornament depicts the historic Balboa Pavilion at Night, Newport Beach's most famous and oldest landmark. Built in 1906 as a bath and boathouse, today it houses a restaurant, ballroom, shops and serves as a departure point for harbor and whale-watching cruises.

Front: Balboa Pavilion, Newport Beach Pier image (shown)
Back: Handpainted text "Balboa Pavilion, Newport Beach, California"

Our Balboa Pavilion at Night ornament is only 2.8 inches tall and painstakingly hand-painted by artisans in St. Petersburg, Russia, which is known worldwide for its miniature artworks such as Fabergé eggs (artisans do not use stencils, imprints or ready photos).

Only traditional methods are used in creating these unique pieces. The construction of these ornaments begins with whole, natural timber, the same lightweight wood used for Russian nesting dolls. The wood is first cut carefully into its egg shape and then sanded to smooth the edges. Then, the artist paints by hand the design directly onto the ornament surface in layers, and allows each layer to dry. Finally, the ornament is lacquered three times by hand to protect, and to enhance the colors.

By using lightweight wood instead of glass, these ornaments are shatterproof. In addition, both the paint and the varnish used by the artists are specifically formulated to avoid cracks, reactions and deterioration over time ensuring the ornaments will endure for generations to come.

The ornaments are egg-shaped, which has been a symbolic gift in Russia and Eastern Europe for over two thousand years, predating the arrival of Christianity. Eggs represent renewal, new life, and the miracle of life. Therefore, it is common to give and receive decorated eggs on occasions throughout the year, not just at Easter.

The flat bottom of the ornament allows it to stand on a flat surface such as a table, shelf, or curio cabinet for year-round display.

Size: 2.8 in. tall