Russian folk craft combines a huge layer of culture. The peculiarity of our country is that almost every corner of it, region or autonomous region has its own type of needlework. It can be painted on various materials, clay products and toys, lace weaving, pastries and much, much more.
Painting
From ancient times, Russia was famous all over the world by artists. Such patterns, which were performed by our masters, could not have been invented by any European artist. Over time, even separate directions and schools have developed that continue the traditions of our people.
It is almost impossible to list all types and techniques of painting in Russia. There are so many of them, and each carries certain features of the locality and culture. The most famous Russian folk arts and crafts are:
- Gzhel. These blue patterns on white porcelain are known throughout the CIS and abroad. Initially, dishes made of special white clay were used for their own needs. Over time, it spread throughout Russia and even began to be used for "pharmaceutical needs." The original and catchy pattern on white dishes appeared much later - at the end of the XIX century.
- Artistic folk crafts - Khokhloma. This is another of the well-known symbols of Russia. This idea has been around for 400 years. It arose in Nizhny Novgorod. The peculiarity of the picture lies in the fact that various berries, flowers, birds and animals are depicted on a tree or dishes. In this case, mainly red and black paint on a gold background is used. Sometimes green and yellow are used.
- Gorodets painting. This craft is unique in that in its technique various types of wood were initially used: one light, the other dark. Cut parts were inserted into special recesses and a peculiar pattern was obtained. Later they started using tint. In almost every picture, the main element is a horse with a beautiful elongated neck.
In addition to these techniques that use artistic crafts and folk crafts, there is a huge number of murals that all of Russia is proud of to this day. They are a symbol of our country and an object of its pride. These are Zhostovo and Mezen paintings, Fedoskino and Palekh miniatures and much more.
Pottery
As you know, Rusichi were mainly settled and working people. In everyday life, a variety of pottery was actively used. Therefore, such Russian folk craft - pottery was popular in those days.
Few people know that initially only women did this. And only much later this trade completely passed into the strong hands of men.
As a rule, they were engaged in this craft in places of natural clay accumulation. As a rule, villages and settlements formed near them. The secrets of pottery were passed down from generation to generation.
The most famous districts in Russia, which were famous for their craftsmen making wonderful clay products, were Novgorod, Smolensk, Ryazan, Gzhel, Vologda and many, many others. Usually, these were areas located near rivers and lakes.
From clay was made not only dishes. Widespread various toys, figurines, whistles, jewelry and home decoration. A vivid example of this is the folk crafts of Gzhel. Initially, various ceramic dishes were made here. Now in any souvenir shop in Russia you can find a ceramic product with a signature unique blue pattern.
In the Nizhny Novgorod region, pottery began in the 16th century. One of its centers was the village of Bogorodskoye. There is still a festival of masters and fans of this craft.
Clay tiles were widely known and used in the central part of Russia. Such art required special skill and endurance. The houses of wealthy boyars, as well as many churches and cathedrals, were decorated with clay casters.
Weaving and lace making
This is almost the same traditional art for Russia as painting or wood carving. However, this old Russian folk craft carried magical functions. After all, the clothes of the Slavs are not only a way of protection from the cold and bad weather, but also a good way to once again protect themselves from any evil eye, spoilage or disease.
That is why the pattern on the products of Russian masters is so important. For many centuries, it has not changed much. At the same time, this is a visiting card of every people living in Russia. They also contain information about its development, about important events and heroes.
The most famous were such handicrafts:
- Items of royal household. In the Middle Ages, this skill was very much appreciated and often in the houses of rich boyars and princes one could see embroidered tablecloths, patterned fabrics and special linen paintings. The most famous were the masters of the Kadashevskaya Sloboda and Khamovnikov in the Moscow Region. Products from Cherkasovo and Breitovo of the Yaroslavl region were also valued.
- Downy shawls. These products, as well as matryoshka or Khokhloma, are the hallmark of Russia. The most famous were the Orenburg downy shawls. For the first time about them it became known at the dawn of the XVIII century. They are made from soft and warm goat fluff, as well as silk, cotton and other threads, taken as a basis. Wool and wool Pavlovsky posad printed shawls are also known.
- Lace-making. For the first time this folk craft became widespread in the 17th century. Handmade lace is made using wooden bobbins. Moreover, they have special grooves for the threads. It is with the help of these sticks that the craftswomen weave the necessary patterns. The original lace-making centers in Russia were Vologda, the Mikhailovsky district in Ryazan, the Soviet district in the Kirov region and the Yelets district in the Lipetsk region.
Like many handicrafts in Russia, weaving and lace-making in the Soviet period is practically not developing today. There are quite a few masters who could completely recreate the technique and patterns according to old customs.
blacksmith craft
Russia has always been famous for strong and healthy people. No wonder blacksmithing has become one of the most honored and revered crafts of our ancestors. It was about these strong and hardy people that legends went and epics were composed, as about the pride of the people and its heroes.
Iron was also known to our direct ancestors - the Slavs. And already in the XI century, this Russian folk craft was most widespread. Even the largest principalities were located precisely near ore and clay deposits.
Usually blacksmiths independently mined and processed metal. Moreover, the forging technique itself remained virtually unchanged until the 19th century. First, a piece of metal was heated with the help of a forge, and then with the help of a hammer the metal was compacted and all the slag was removed.
Artisans made not only swords. They gave people locks and keys, axes and knives, nails and needles, boilers, weights and much, much more.
The main centers of blacksmithing in Russia were the city of Zlatoust, which was valued and revered by our kings as the weapons capital, Pavlovsky prison, Siberia, the city of Belev and many, many others. Namely these places glorified blacksmithing and forever included it in the national crafts of Russia.
Wood and bone carving
Another ancient, but not completely forgotten craft. Our people have their own sacred meaning. Even in ordinary everyday items, ancestors tried to use special things. It is for this that there were various national crafts. Products made from natural materials: stone, bone or wood were especially valued.
Besides the fact that they were used to make various household items, art crafts, etc., carvings were used to decorate the facades of buildings, sculptures were made, etc.
The following crafts were especially popular:
- Shemogodsky slotted birch bark. This art originates in the Vologda region. Birch bark, despite its apparent fragility, is quite strong and durable material. Vologda masters make various baskets, dishes, tues, jewelry and even shoes and clothes. The peculiarity of these products is that a natural floral ornament, leaves and berries, flowers and stems intertwine with the traditional pattern.
- Barnabas bone carving. This is the art of folk crafts Nizhny Novgorod masters. It arose on the basis of a special house carving performed on wood. The peculiarity of such products is absolute originality and individuality. After all, each item is hand-made, without any templates and stamps.
- Abramtsevo-Kudrinskaya carving. This extraordinary artistic craft became widely known in the 19th century. Using this technique, buckets, dishes, vases and caskets were made, as well as any items of home decor and household items. The peculiarity of these products is the predominance of various curls, sockets, twigs, tinting and polishing of wood.
In addition to these folk crafts, Russia is rich in craftsmen who can not just apply patterns to stone, bone or wood. They somehow supplement the natural drawing of the material with their own work. That is why these products become so unusual and unique.
Folk crafts: toys
The main thing for any family is the procreation. That is why children have always been given special attention. They were watched, trained and, of course, played with them. In order to occupy the child, they made special crafts: from leather, fabric, wood, stone, etc.
Russian folk crafts for children:
- Matryoshka. The most famous toy that has become a symbol of Russia. This wooden chrysalis first appeared at the end of the 19th century. In total, it consists of 8 parts. I turned a doll a regular turner. Then it was painted and acquired the appearance of a Russian girl with the same, only smaller copies inside.
- Toy Bogorodskaya, carved. These toys began to be made in the XVI-XVII centuries. At the same time, the masters made not only ordinary sculptures, but also special moving figures. These are hunters, peasants, animals or birds, as well as whole scenes from everyday rural life.
- Dymkovo toys. The folk crafts of this settlement are known almost throughout Russia. Back in the 15th century, a tradition arose to make funny clay whistle toys. These figures of animals, people and birds carried ancient images. The traditions of this industry were not transmitted as usual from father to son, but from mother to daughter.
Enumerate all the famous and ancient dynasties that have dedicated their skills to children, you can endlessly. And each toy had its own character, special features not characteristic of the rest.
Glass Blowing
This is one of the most difficult and interesting activities at the same time. Glass-blowing industry appeared in Russia not so long ago - in the XVIII century. Its founder was Prince Menshikov. And, despite the fact that initially foreigners were invited to the production, later the lesson turned into our national Russian craft.
The center of glass blowing became the city of Klin. It is there that you can now get to the fabulous exhibition of Christmas toys and decorations. Why is this particular town near Moscow? This region is rich in deposits of the most valuable sand for glass-blowers - quartz, without which production is impossible.
Another place known throughout the country is Gus-Khrustalny. This town owes its name to an old glass-blowing factory, founded in the 18th century and owned by the famous Russian businessmen Maltzov.
Now at this wonderful factory they produce a wide variety of products from this fragile material. These are wine glasses and glasses, vases and shtofs, as well as interesting souvenirs and even home decoration.
Contemporary crafts exhibitions
Now the main thing for many Russian crafts and craftsmen is to continue to develop. Popularity is the key to success. After all, the more people the craft knows and appreciates, the better, the more orders the craftsmen receive.
In addition, handicrafts help the new generation to understand the history and culture of their own country. It is not only interesting and informative, but also very fun, especially for young children. Indeed, almost every of our products uses bright colors, funny drawings with funny characters.
As a rule, in places where the production of various crafts is concentrated, annual fairs and exhibitions are held. It is here that the craftsmen bring their best products for demonstration and sale.
The most famous and interesting fairs today:
- Exhibition of folk crafts "Rook". It takes place in Nizhny Novgorod every year. Here are presented the crafts of not only local craftsmen, but also the best craftsmen of Russia. This event takes place in mid-December.
- Ethnomir - craftsmen and crafts. This exhibition takes place in the Kaluga region in September. It brings together the best masters of Russia and the world. Within the framework of this festival, very interesting and informative master classes are also held for everyone.
Solovetsky craft fair. This annual event in the Arkhangelsk region is attended by masters from Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Nizhny Novgorod and other artisan cities and villages. Visitors especially appreciate the folk crafts - Khokhloma, toys and gzhel.
In addition to these fairs, there are many others that collect a huge number of people and contribute to the revival of long-forgotten folk crafts.
Knife fishing
Artistic processing of metal was distributed practically throughout Russia. And in different areas there were whole centers for the production of knives, crockery, a variety of cutlery.
Nizhny Novgorod masters were especially famous for their skill. Pavlovskaya Sloboda became the center of the metal art industry. The first reminder of him arose in the XVI century. Then this art of folk crafts spread to other districts and regions. For example, this is the village of Vorsma. The art and skills of the local masters were known far beyond the borders of Russia. In the years of the USSR, this place became the official capital of the “Knife industry”.
Russian knives and cutlery were decorated with a wide variety of materials: from bone to mother of pearl and jasper. A special engraving was displayed on them, which served not only as an ornament, but also as a kind of production brand.
One of the most famous houses that made these folk crafts a family affair and transferred technology and secrets of craftsmanship from father to sons, became the Ptitsyns, Zavyalovs and Biryutins. Their products made a huge impression at fairs and exhibitions in Philadelphia, London, Berlin and Paris.
