Loading... Please wait... Loading... Please wait...
Royal Russia
Crosses and Icons
Porcelain
Nested Matryoshka Dolls
Lacquer and Paintings
Arts and Crafts
Jewelry and Boxes
Tea Glass Holders
Books and Note Cards
Christmas
Easter Eggs
Consignment Room
On Sale
Posted by The Russian Gift Shop on Jul 12th 2018
Traditional Khokhloma
(Хохлома)
Khokhloma (pronounced Hoh-low-ma) derives from the name of an ancient village deep in the forests of the Volga region. The secrets of production were passed from yesteryear's grandfathers and grandmothers to yesterday's fathers and mothers to today's sons and daughters. For over 300 years, skilled artisans would gather once a year during Easter, at trade fairs held in Nizhni-Novgorod, to sell their wares. Khokhloma ware is also known as "treen", a term for small and functional household items that are hand made from wood. During the 19th century wooden utensils such as spoons and bowls for porridge and soup were in everyday use. Antique Khokhloma in better than good condition is not commonly found. Khokhloma painting was neglected in the early 20th century, but revived in the 1920s and early 1930s, as master craftsmen formed artels, or workshops. In the 1960s, the Khokhlomskoi Khudozhnik Factory in Khokhloma and the Khokhlomskaia Rospis’ Production Association (Хохломская роспись) in the city of Semenov were founded, and became established as centers of commercial Khokhloma manufacture for the burgeoning tourist market. Thus, pieces made before the 1960s preceded the dawn of mass production. In the 60's, diplomatic relations had stabilized for the time being (Cuba notwithstanding) and the Soviet government sought "hard" (as opposed to their own "soft") currency.
Матрешки из СеменоваCollectible Russian Matryoshka DollsAuthentic Russian nesting dolls are created in a workshop/factory in Semenov (Semyonov), about a 90-minute drive from Nizhny Novgorod. It both describes the distinct ornamental style and the town. It is a laborious process that takes careful diligence. The workshop employs 700 and utilizes various heavy machinery, including sanders, drills, [...]
Collectible Nesting Dolls from Polkhovsky MaidanMatryoshka dolls from Polkhovsky Maidan (Полховский Майдан) and the neighboring villages of Krutets and Gorodets appeal to the connoisseur of older Russian folk art. These three villages are located in the region of Nizhni Novgorod, not far from the towns of Sergiev-Posad and Semenov, all centers of folk art in [...]
Kirov, Vyatka, NolinskCollectible Russian Matryoshka DollsIn 1780, Catherine the Great renamed the ancient town of Khlynov (since 1374) to Vyatka. It stayed that way until 1934, when it was named after Sergey Kirov (1886-1934), who was a prominent Communist Party leader. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the name of the city [...]
Collectible Dolls from Sergiev Posad and TverSergiev Posad has a long history of toy manufacturing. The "Settlement of Sergius" - named in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1314-1392) - is a fairly large city and the administrative center of Sergiyevo Posadsky District in the Moscow Oblast. It is a city with a rich heritage [...]
In solemn remembrance One hundred years ago, in July 1918, the last Imperial family of Tsarist Russia: Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Tsarina Alexandra, the young Heir Apparent Tsarevich Alexei, and the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, were executed by Bolshevik communists. Memory eternal. ************************************************************************************** Svyataya 'Rus A century ago the Russian nation was in catastrophic crisis. Politically, a violent revolution had [...]
"Our idea for the Impoverished Russian Aristocrat Room Abroad is to revive, support, and provide materials for designing such a space in your home." Visit the IRAA The tragic events of 1917-18 forced many Russians to flee their homeland and live abroad. Paris, Berlin, Prague, and Vilnius, were popular destinations in which to set up and decorate their [...]
Entering the Russian folk art and crafts market can be fun, but also confusing. Whether you're considering a gift for someone special or as a treat for yourself, it pays to learn the history and terminology. Unfortunately, there are many questionable sellers, both at the retail and wholesale level. There are also many sellers who are misinformed and sell imitations to [...]
Helpful suggestions and do-it-yourself instructions for any budget. So, you have the imagination, taste and good sense to opt for a Russian dacha motif in the comforts of your own home. The first step is to decide which room to magically transform: den, study, guest room, spare bedroom, family room? This done, the process itself is [...]
Around 1991 the Lomonosov factory used a burgundy or red mark. This mark varied in color intensity from a dark mark to a light one. (See some examples below.) If the mark was in English, then the piece was intended for export sale. In the absence of an English mark, it could be determined that [...]