Traditional Russian Crafts
Traditional Russian crafts have been manufactured and traded since the days of ancient Rus, the name given to the area that comprised Russia and Eastern Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries. Crafts began as metalwork used for religious icons. But Russian craftsmanship slowly developed to include the exquisite woodwork that defines Russian crafts in the modern age.
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Nesting Doll
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The Russian nesting doll, or matryoshka, is iconic for its sweet face and its ability to multiply. The first matryoshka didn't appear until the 1890, when a workshop called "Children's Education" in Moscow built the first set. Traditional matryoshkas are wooden figurines that resemble peasant women in brightly colored clothes. The figurine opens up around what would be a waistline to reveal smaller versions of herself. The doll became so popular in Russia during the 20th century that different versions appeared. An old-man matryoshka created by the artist Sergiev Posad gained notoriety for its expressive features.
Pisanki and Krashenki Egg
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Ornate, bejeweled eggs called pisanki are traditionally presented to the Russian nobility as gifts. These elaborate eggs are actually constructed of porcelain and precious metals in an egg shape, as the weight of the jewels outside would crush a real egg's shell. The eggs are engraved and hand-painted with detailed designs.
Eggs are also presented during the Easter holidays. Called krashenki, the eggs are one color and decidedly simpler than their pisanki counterparts. But high-end versions of the eggs are made of hand-painted porcelain. A set of elaborately painted krashenki was ordered by the last czar for the Easter holiday.
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Birch Bark Crafts
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Birch bark is readily available throughout large sections of Russia. The material was first used to make containers for practical use, such as food storage. But as craftsmen became more adept at manipulating the wood, they begin to add decorative craving. By 1882, birch bark crafts were being treated as a notable art form, with contests held in major cities to celebrate the best artists. Ivan Veprev, for example, garnered 10 awards for his craftsmanship, one of them given at a Universal Exposition in Paris in 1900.
Jewelry
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Jewelry has a long history in Russia, from the metalworkers of ancient Rus to the opulence of the imperial court before its demise. Russian jewelers are noted for their use of precious stones, often garnet, ruby and emerald. They are also renowned for their complicated detail work. Filigree is one example of a technique used to create ornate pieces of jewelry that cannot copied, since the process never produces the same piece twice.
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