Russian Folk CraftsWhat kind of souvenir would you

want from Russia?

Matryoshka Dolls• Matryoshka is the ____(GOOD) known and

_____ (POPULAR) Russian souvenir.  This wooden nesting doll is as much a symbol of Russia. This young lady is pretty young indeed – the ___ (ONE) one was crafted just 120 years ago!

Matryoshka Dolls

• The first set of Matryoshka dolls consisted of 8 pieces representing a Russian peasant family. Today there ____ (BE) literally millions of variations, from ______ (TRADITION), ____ (BRIGHT) painted Russian peasant girls to Soviet _____ (LEAD) to Disney characters. 

• It's hard to imagine that matryoshka _____ (NOT EXIST) until the late 19th century.   The first Russian nested doll set ____(BE) carved in 1890 in Abramtsevo estate which belonged to Savva Mamontov who was a ___ (FAME) patron of arts.

• In 1900, the Russian doll was presented at the World Exhibition in Paris, where it ____(RECEIVE) a medal and the international fame. Since that moment many people in Europe got _____(INTEREST) in the Russian doll and wanted to have this souvenir from Russia. The first matryoshka production started in Sergiev Posad,

Khokhloma• Khokhloma is a traditional

Russian craft originated in the 17th century in the area of Nizhniy Novgorod. It's the style of painting on wooden tableware and furniture. Khokhloma style can be recognized for its red and gold flower pattern on a dark background.

• Most popular theme of paintings are flowers, strawberries, sometimes birds, fish and animals. The beautiful pieces of tableware give you an impression of being painted with gold, but Kokhloma masters had an interesting secret.

• The main centers of production are Khokhloma Painter factory near the Khokhloma village and Khokhloma Painting enterprise  in a town of Semyonov.  During your Moscow tour you can see Khohloma crafts in Izmailovo souvenir market or in some other gifts shops in the city.

Gzhel• Gzhel is a style of Russian ceramics which

originates from the village of Gzhel not far from Moscow.  This area __ long ____ (BE) famous for its clays. Since the  XIV century the Gzhel and some 30 villages in the neighbohood ______ (BECOME) the centre of Russian ceramic production. This style of paintings was borrowed from the Dutch. Gzhel ceramics is always hand-made! Artist paint every plate or vase with a brush, making each object an individual piece of art. 

• Today the pottery feature distinctive blue designs on white background.

Palekh Lacquer Boxes• Lacquer boxes are among the most beautiful

crafts of Russia in the 20th century. They are made of ______ (USUAL) material; it's not wood but papier-mâché. The first lacquer boxes appeared in Russia in the 18th century but this art flourished in the 20th century after the Revolution. It takes several months to make a box out of papier-mache.  The main centers of lacquer boxes _____ (PRODUCE) are Fedoskino, Palekh, Kholui, Mstera. Each village has its own style of ______ (PAINT). 

• The boxes feature miniature paintings, the themes range from Russian landscapes to Fairy tales. The popular motifs used in Russian lacquer miniature are Russian fairytales,  troikas (carriage-and-three), scenes from Russian peasant life, landscapes.

Pavlov-Posad shawl

• One of the most popular Russian crafts which can be found in any open-air souvenir marker, at the stall or in a shop is Pavlov-Posad shawl. It is a perfect gift from Russia which will take its place in the wardrobe of any woman. The history of Pavlovo-Posad shawls goes back to late 18th century, when the factory was founded by Ivan Labsin. His business soon became very successful and known in different parts of Russian. 

• The characteristic feature of such a shawl is bright floral ornament.

• Pavlovo-Posad shawls became world-known and loved not only in Russian but also beyond. Nowadays one can see Pavlovo-Posad shawl motives in the collections of haut-couture designers.

Zhostovo trays

• In a small village Zhostovo in the first part of the 19th century people began to develop their own craft. Nowadays Zhostovo trays still produced in Mytishchi Area are considered a great present. During the Soviet times the craftsmen of Zhostovo had to defend the original trays against the influence of realism traditions. In different periods Zhostovo trays won numerous contests and were highly estimated both in Russia and abroad. 

• The main motive of Zhostovo painting is a bunch of garden and wild flowers.

Vologda Lace • Vologda lace is a kind of Russian lace. It

dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, but the craft itself was developed in the 1st quarter of the 19th century.  Nobody knows how this wonderful craft appeared in Russia. Vologda has always been one of the main centres of Russian lace tatting, and in the 19th century it became the most famous one. It was that time when lace-makers began to tat lace patterns in the form of wonderful stars and snowflakes. 

Birch bark crafts• Birch bark crafts have been

popular in Russia since ancient times. Birch bark is called sometimes a Russian papyrus.  In ancient Russia birch bark was used as paper.  Birch bark crafts were popular all over Russia, major carving centres included Veliky Ustyug, Semenov, Archangel Region, Tomsk Region and Yakutia.

For more information on:• Vologda lace - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4209.html• Palekh - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/10753.html• Gzhel - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4179.html• Matryoshka - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4219.html• Birch bark - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4193.html • Zhostovo - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4201.html• Khokhloma - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4186.html • Pavlovsky Shawls -

http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4226.html • Tula samovars - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4241.html• Dymkovo toys - http://russia.rin.ru/guides_e/4205.html • http://bridgetomoscow.com/russian-souvenirs