Where Chocolate Becomes Canvas and Tradition Meets Craft

At Baravelli’s, chocolate has always been more than just something sweet. It’s story, memory, craft—and above all, art. This Easter, we are proud to present something truly extraordinary: The Art of the Egg 2025, a collection of six limited-edition chocolate eggs inspired by the elegance of Japanese design, culture, and meaning.

This isn’t just a range of chocolates—it’s a creative journey. One that began in the ancient stones of Conwy Castle and leads all the way to the white towers of Himeji Castle in Japan. One shaped by Emma Baravelli’s deep artistic sensibilities, and our shared passion for heritage, symbolism, and beauty.

A Master Chocolatier with an Artist’s Eye

Emma Baravelli is no ordinary chocolatier. As co-founder and creative force behind Baravelli’s, Emma brings a rare combination of disciplines to her craft. She holds a BA in Fashion and Textiles and is also an Associate of the London College of Music (ALCM) for viola performance.

It’s this rich blend of visual, tactile, and musical training that defines her approach to chocolate. For Emma, every egg, bonbon, and bar begins as a composition—carefully structured, thoughtfully coloured, and deeply personal. Whether she’s layering flavours or hand-painting a chocolate shell, Emma is always thinking like an artist.

And The Art of the Egg 2025 is perhaps her most ambitious canvas yet.

A Tale of Two Castles

The inspiration for this year’s Easter centrepiece began with a little-known connection: Conwy Castle, right here in North Wales, is officially twinned with Himeji Castle in Japan. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, cherished not just for their beauty but for the history and craftsmanship they represent.

While Conwy Castle stands proud with its rugged, medieval stonework, Himeji Castle—sometimes called the White Heron—glides with elegance, its pale walls and tiered rooftops evoking grace and balance. They are vastly different in appearance, but spiritually aligned in their symbolism, strength, and cultural importance.

That connection sparked something in us. What if we brought a little of that East-West harmony to our Easter collection?

A Visit from Himeji

In October 2024 we had the honour of welcoming a delegation from Himeji to Baravelli’s. To celebrate this historic visit, Emma created a one-off set of four specially designed Easter eggs—crafted exclusively as gifts for the guests.

Each egg was hand-painted with:

• A traditional Japanese colour, chosen for its historical and emotional resonance
• A corresponding kanji character, painted in calligraphic brushstrokes
• A carefully balanced design reflecting the beauty and minimalism of Japanese aesthetics

These four eggs were never intended for sale. They were a cultural offering, a thank-you, and an expression of creative diplomacy.

The Four Delegation Eggs

1. 和 – Wa (Harmony)
   A red-and-ivory egg painted with the character for harmony, symbolising peace and unity—foundational principles in Japanese philosophy.
2. 桜 – Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
   Pink-toned and floral, this egg is marked with the kanji for sakura, celebrating the fleeting beauty of life and the arrival of spring.
3. 喜 – Yorokobi (Joy)
   Warm yellow and gold swirls surround the character for joy, evoking happiness and festivity.
4. 友 – Tomo (Friendship)
   Soft indigo hues frame the kanji for friend, expressing the spirit of connection between Conwy and Himeji.

These four eggs are now part of our history—unique, meaningful, and forever tied to a moment of cultural friendship.

The Art of The Egg 2025

While the delegation eggs were a one-time gesture, the creative spark behind them ignited something more lasting. The result is The Art of the Egg 2025—our most ambitious Easter release to date.

1. 竹 – Take (Blue Bamboo)
   A striking design inspired by the strength and flexibility of bamboo—symbols of endurance and quiet resilience in Japanese culture. Painted in fluid blue brushstrokes to express calm, purity, and natural elegance, this egg echoes the meditative art of Japanese ink painting. Subtle golden seams evoke kintsugi, the beauty of repair and imperfection.
2. 鶴 – Tsuru (Red-Crowned Crane)
   Elegant and timeless, the red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity, fidelity, and grace. With a dance that celebrates lifelong devotion, it holds deep spiritual meaning in Japanese culture. Accents of gold evoke prosperity and good fortune.
3. 桜 – Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
   The fleeting bloom of the cherry blossom captures the essence of impermanence and quiet strength. Long associated with the Samurai, it reflects a reverence for life’s transience and the courage to embrace its end. A symbol of renewal and the coming of spring.
4. 兎 – Tsuki no Usagi (Moon Rabbit)
   Inspired by the mythical rabbit who lives in the moon, this egg celebrates selflessness and quiet generosity. Believed to pound mochi in the moon’s shadows, the Moon Rabbit is a cherished symbol in Japanese folklore. Painted in serene green tones to reflect nature, youth, and good fortune.
5. 梅 – Ume (Plum Blossom)
   Delicate five-petalled blossoms emerge in the chill of winter, a timeless symbol of resilience and quiet strength. Painted in soft pinks to honour youth, femininity, and the arrival of spring, this egg celebrates hope and renewal.
6. 鯉 – Koi (Carp)
   A gleaming interplay of gold and blue evokes the revered koi, symbol of perseverance and courage in Japanese culture. Its upward journey through strong currents mirrors the strength to overcome life’s challenges. A tribute to precision and calm.

Each egg comes beautifully packaged in home compostable cellophane. These aren’t just confections—they’re cultural expressions. Tiny artworks. Chocolate canvases.

A Personal Journey into Japanese Calligraphy

The creative direction of this year’s Easter collection is deeply personal for Emma. In January 2024, she travelled to London to study shodō—the ancient art of Japanese calligraphy.

Emma’s first lesson was with Rie Takeda, a respected calligraphy master whose contemporary style blends poetry and tradition. The following day, she continued her studies in Camberley with Akimi Lucas, also known as Koshu, another revered figure in the world of Japanese brushwork.

That short but powerful immersion into shodō reshaped how Emma saw form, gesture, and meaning. The essence of a single stroke. The balance of space. The stillness between movements. These ideas found their way into The Art of the Egg 2025, influencing both the kanji and the compositions painted onto each egg.

Available for a Limited Time

Only a handful of these special edition eggs have been made. Priced at £80, they are available exclusively from our shop in Conwy or on our website. Each one is hand-finished, unique, and part of a series that may never be repeated.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone. But the story behind them—the connection between two castles, two cultures, and one chocolatier’s vision—will linger long after Easter.

At Baravelli’s, we believe chocolate can tell stories. This year, it tells one of heritage, harmony, and heartfelt artistry. We invite you to experience The Art of the Egg 2025—a celebration in chocolate, inspired by the beauty of Japan and made in the heart of Wales.

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2022 Pumpkin Pie

For Halloween 2022 we were commissioned by one of our clients to make giant lifelike chocolate pumpkins for their London stores. This was to be a bespoke mould created by Mark which we have used ever since. A good deal of research was needed and a mould making course run by Martin Chiffers helped him to make me the most amazing life like mould. Each giant chocolate pumpkin that emerges from this mould weighs in at a whopping 3 kilos and showcases Mark’s impressive mould making skills.

Our window display for 2022 was based around one of these magnificent orange pumpkins with a chocolate severed head and chocolate axe. Gruesome indeed! It involved a live casting of Emma’s face in silicon and a Plaster of Paris shell to support the form. This was then cast in chocolate and hand painted with coloured cocoa butter by Emma late at night, a very spooky experience!

2023 The Mark of the Beast

Halloween 2023 was all about revenge. It was Emma’s turn to paint Mark’s face with silicon! The window was entitled “The Mark of the Beast” a dark chocolate casting of Mark’s face resembling a bronze sculpture. The piece (or Exhibit Number 666) was adorned with beautiful ornate horns. They were cast in chocolate using another of Mark’s moulds, made this time using a 3D printer. Presented on a dark chocolate “wooden” plinth, the sculpture might well be enough to bewitch the senses!

2024 Audrey 2 takes over!

At Baravelli’s we pride ourselves on our craft, and Halloween is the perfect time to showcase our blend of creativity and technical knowhow. This year our window brought to life a theme that Mark has wanted us to try for years, the iconic carnivorous plant character from Little Shop of Horrors! Resplendent in her terracotta plant pot Audrey 2 also introduces a special and sustainable twist to our window displays. In our effort to reduce waste and repurpose where we can, this impressive sculpture is made from 15kg of Fino de Aroma chocolate, including a repurposed Easter egg as the central body of Audrey 2. Every element, from the menacing teeth to the leafy vines, is carefully handcrafted from rich dark, smooth milk, and velvety white chocolate—resulting in a piece that is as terrifying as it is delicious.

Come, Be Spellbound!

We at Baravelli’s pride ourselves on our craft, and Halloween is the perfect time to showcase our blend of creativity and chocolate mastery. We invite you to explore our collection of Halloween treats, perfect for sharing with your favourite ghouls and boys or enjoying during a moonlit night full of frights.

This Halloween, let Baravelli’s bewitch your taste buds and add a touch of artisanal magic to your festivities. After all, a bit of chocolate a day keeps the goblins away!

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Navigate through our virtual chocolate shop with ease, where every click reveals a new treasure. From our signature truffles to exotic flavour combinations, exploring our full range has never been more enticing. The spirit of Baravelli’s passion for chocolate shines through every page, inviting you to indulge in the art of fine confectionery from wherever you may be.

So go ahead, unwrap the new baravellis.com and savour the sweet possibilities that await. Your chocolate journey starts here – and it’s more accessible, more vibrant, and more delicious than ever before!

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