Grandfather Frost Family [Vintage]

Product Description

Grandfather Frost Family. A mid-1990s set that, at the time, was marketed as Kalinin's "author's matryoshka" (author's dolls were those that deviated from the standard, so-called "village dolls".  "Artist", or "author"s", nesting dolls were in the ascension beginning the in late 1980s as traditional dolls, such as Semenov, Kirov, Kalinin, Zagorsk, were on the decline due to the lack of government subsidies that were common before 1991. In other words, traditionally systems were falling apart. The Kalinin sets were apparently made in small numbers and the best factory workshop artists were engaged. Other subjects, such as a peasant family, or cats, were also made.  Eventually, the markets notably shifted. The original retail prices for these sets were significantly higher at the time. And examples in excellent condition, as this one, command high prices. Of special note is that most of the Kalinin styles were crudely copied later on.

Painted, woodburnt, lacquered. Delightful primary colors that are the hallmark of the Kalinin style. 5¼" down to 1¾". Made in Tver when it was called Kalinin. 1 only.