Kirov Lad "Cavalier" Bottle Holder [Vintage]

Product Description

Kirov "Cavalier" Bottle Holder (Футляр для бутылки "Кавалер"). The dapper "Кавалер" wear  a jaunty black service cap and brings with him a bouquet of flowers. Vintage piece circa 1970 made at the prosaically named "Kirov Production Association "Viatka" for the Production of Toys" ("Кировское производственное объединение "Вятка" по выпуску игрушек").

The production of this intricate folk art starts with over a hundred tiny pieces of colored straw that are inlaid into flower and geometric patterns. The straw is a special variety of rye harvested with a scythe, then boiled in a potassium solution to achieve the color of gold. Then each cut-into-shape piece is painstakingly fastened and finished with an oil lacquer. Of special note is the base, which is revealed when the boy is lifted up. The base is painted in matching red and black and decorated with colorful applied straw flowers. Also called a "shtof" matryoshka (Штоф матрешка) as a bottle of spirits fits snugly inside. A marvel of Russian folk art! 

11½" tall. In near fine condition with only minor straw loss. 1 available.

Read about the history of Kirov dolls Here