Every clown’s face makeup is unique, or at least, they should be, for there is an unwritten rule within the clowning community that no clown should copy another clown’s look.

In order to copyright the specific facial designs of a clown, Clowns International—the world’s oldest clown society—maintains a register of clown faces. But instead of keeping photographs or sketches of the clown’s makeup, details are painted on ceramic eggs and decorated with collars, bow ties, wigs and miniature hats made from the clown's actual costume material.

Clown faces painted on eggs at the Clowns Gallery-Museum, London. Photo credit: Rob Greig