Product Description
Kizhi (Кижи). Heavy, high-relief wood carving. The descriptive paper on the back, in Russian, identifies the artist, place where carved, and the date of the carving (1978). Approximately 16½" x 8½" (at the widest point). Weighs nearly 3 pounds. 1 only.
Kizhi (Кижи), also Kiji, is an island in the republic of Karelia and is well-known for its churches built from round pine logs. These were dragged from the mainland and cut and shaped with axes and assembled without nails. The most significant characteristic is the onion-dome. In the 18th century, two churches and a bell tower were built on the island, now known as Kizhi Pogost. In the mid-20th century, dozens of historical wooden buildings were moved to the island from various parts of Karelia for preservation. Today, the entire island and the nearby area form a national open-air museum with more than 80 historical wooden structures.
