Russia is a country rich in crafts and craftsmen whose wonderful
creations have been an integral part of Russian culture for
centuries. Many skills are special to particular regions, but you
can buy their handicrafts nearly everywhere in souvenir stores. Of
course, Russia is most famous for its matrioshkas (nestling dolls)
or samovars. But there are many other wonderful things to look out
for to bring home as gifts or to grace your home with mementos of
your trip.
If you're looking for something fun, you could look for the
delightful clay craft toys from Dymkhovo. The potters of Dymkhovo
(now the territory of modern Kirov) have been making these charming
toys for 300 years. Each toy is made individually by hand by
molding from clay, then firing and painting. Dymkhovo toys are
instantly recognizable from the riot of gay colors on a white base.
Some are figures of everyday folk. Some are scenes from real life
or fairy tales. Some are exotic animals, such as multi-colored
chickens.
If you want something more elegant, there is nothing better than
the world-famous ceramics made in Gzhel. Gzhel is the name of a
picturesque region nearby Moscow and Gzhel porcelain dates back to
the XIV century. It is soft white porcelain, decorated by hand with
bright blue ornament or flowers in the style unique to Gzhel. The
blue color of the decorations is created by adding cobalt to the
porcelain to turn it blue in a particular pattern.
Another Russian specialty is the subtle art of the Palekh lacquer
miniature, which is based on the principles of old Russian painting
and folk art, and depicts a poetic world inspired by Russian fairy
tales and songs. At first only icons were created in the Palekh
style but later Palekh miniatures became popular for decorating
wooden caskets, boxes, Easter eggs and tableware. A peculiar
feature of Palekh is attention to detail which make the ornament
look very natural.
Khokhloma is an old Russian craft which appeared in the XVII
century in Zavolzhie Region. It is an ornamental decoration of
wooden tableware and furniture made by red and black tones on the
golden base. The decoration is achieved by brushing with silver
stannic powder which is later covered with a special varnish to
give Khokhloma craft its beautiful deep golden color. Traditional
Khokhloma ornaments are juicy red wild strawberries, ashberries and
trees branches in blossom. Wooden Khokhloma spoons are especially
popular with tourists.
Bogorodskoe Wooden Toys date back as far as 300 years. They are
carved by people who live in Bogorodskoe in Moscow Region who made
toys from linden. The process is very complicated, and before even
starting to make a toy, the wood had to be dried for two years.
Then the figure is carved and later polished, leaving just plain
wood. Traditionally, such figures show kind funny bears with a
basket full of mushrooms or berries or playing garmoshka. Many are
made with ingenious moving parts.
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