Russian Folk Art Designs

Russian Art On The Internet

Originally Khokhloma wood tableware were produced in monasteries and for the czar court only.  At that time Khokhloma tableware production was not large scale. It was because of expensive imported tin. In 1720s after the end of the North War tin flow to Russian increased. The price went down and the material came within reach of many masters. The production and the sales of brightly painted hand made art works expanded.

Thus in the XIX century items with khokhloma painting were famous not only in Russia but in Persia, India, Middle East, the USA and Australia as well. The export of khokhloma items grew after the worldwide exhibition in 1889 in Paris.

In 1916 Nizhegorodskoye Zemstvo established the first School for Wood-Working Arts and Crafts in Semyonov. The folk arts and folklore flourished in Volga region near Nizhny Novgorod province. No other territory in Russia could equal it in the number and originality of the folk arts and crafts that had sprang to life and were developed in the local communities. The Khokhloma art painting on wooden tableware is the type of Nizhny Novgorod folk art craft that became most popular in Russia and foreign countries.

The "grass-leaves" decorative ornaments and their peculiar color scheme suggest that the Khokhloma art is rooted in the ancient Russian decorative culture while the imitation of gilt ornaments on wood dates back to the medieval Russian handicraft skills. The painting technique has been somewhat upgraded but remains essentially the same as in the ancient time.
Khokhloma russian painting amazes you with its delicate grass pattern and festive coloring, which is based on combination of scarlet cinnabar and flittering gold against the black lacquer background. This is Khokhloma specific feature. Masters used tin powder and lacquer to obtain such gold color. Now they use aluminum powder.

First, the art tableware are shaped on a lathe from the dried lime wood, which are turned into bowls, vases, mugs, dishes and spoons.
They are dried and covered with red and brown primer, so that they start looking like earthen. The unpainted articles are now coated with drying oil. Next they are polished with powdered aluminium. They become dull shining, like silver, and go to the painting division. Painted articles are then varnished and hardened in ovens at the temperature of 120-130 degrees. The heat turns the varnish yellow, the "silver" into "gold" and mellows the vivid design with an even, golden tone.

The Khokhloma dishes, cups and wooden drink pots were used for serving food at holiday feasts. The wooden tableware using at the Moscow house of an important statesman had to look valuable; accordingly, they were modeled on the rich painted plates decorated with real golden fabricated by the jewelers for the luxurious homes of the Russian nobility. Thanks to the special varnish and high-temperature processing they are quite practical and safe in use. You can drink and eat using these Khokhloma tableware, because such wares not sensitive to cold and hot, salty and sour food.

Apart from Khokhloma wood presents of tableware most visitors to Russia will have at least one set of Matrioshka dolls in their luggage. These dolls within dolls have long been a source of fascination. The undoing of the main doll to reveal others almost ad-in-finitem has always produced wonderment and appreciation for the woodcrafts art.

Examples of beautiful Khokhloma wood art presents, Paleh and Mstera varnished miniatures you can look at art store online site. It is amazing that what started out as a true folk tradition over 300 years ago is still thriving and remains basically true to it's roots, albeit on a more organized scale.

About the Author

Want to find out about barb fish, biggest bat and other information? Get tips from the Interesting Animals website.

Khokhloma (Russian Folk Art) Nail Tutorial

Red Flower - 24W x 23H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won't damage your paint or l...

Nesting 5.2 Doll 5 Matryoshka Folk The TRIO TROIKA [Height: 5.2 inches (13 cm). Materials: linden wood, gouache, lacquer; Made in Russia. 5 pieces] [For decades, people the world over have delighted in the matryoshka, or nesting doll, and her array of bright colors. She has become the traditional Russian souvenir and found fame far from Russia. Now modern artists expand upon this tradition, decorating matryoshkas with miniature illustrations of folklore and fairytales. Key scenes and characters are expertly depicted on the matryoshka's small wooden form, rendering the doll herself even more entertaining, beautiful, and charming] [As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart of Russia. It is hand turned from linden wood and then hand painted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 3-5 layers of crystal clear lacquer. It is a wonderful Russian traditional souvenir. Painted multi-piece matryoshka has become the symbol of Russian national art] [Each pattern is unique and hand printed with beautiful paint, which makes its dress glamouring. Matreshka dolls are carved individually on a lathe out of soft wood and then brightly printed. The artists borrow their designs from folk art, fairy tales and the artist's personal fantasies] For decades, people the world over have delighted in the matryoshka, or nesting doll, and her array of bright colors. She has become the traditional Russian souvenir and found fame far from Russia. Now modern artists expand upon this tradition, decorating matryoshkas with miniature illustrations of folklore and fairytales. Key scenes and characters are expertly depicted on the matryoshka's small w...

Nesting 5.2 Doll 5 Stacking Matryoshka Folk WILL [Height: 5.2 inches (13 cm). Materials: linden wood, gouache, lacquer; Made in Russia. 5 pieces] [For decades, people the world over have delighted in the matryoshka, or nesting doll, and her array of bright colors. She has become the traditional Russian souvenir and found fame far from Russia. Now modern artists expand upon this tradition, decorating matryoshkas with miniature illustrations of folklore and fairytales. Key scenes and characters are expertly depicted on the matryoshka's small wooden form, rendering the doll herself even more entertaining, beautiful, and charming] [As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart of Russia. It is hand turned from linden wood and then hand painted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 3-5 layers of crystal clear lacquer. It is a wonderful Russian traditional souvenir. Painted multi-piece matryoshka has become the symbol of Russian national art] [Each pattern is unique and hand printed with beautiful paint, which makes its dress glamouring. Matreshka dolls are carved individually on a lathe out of soft wood and then brightly printed. The artists borrow their designs from folk art, fairy tales and the artist's personal fantasies] For decades, people the world over have delighted in the matryoshka, or nesting doll, and her array of bright colors. She has become the traditional Russian souvenir and found fame far from Russia. Now modern artists expand upon this tradition, decorating matryoshkas with miniature illustrations of folklore and fairytales. Key scenes and characters are expertly depicted on the matryoshka's small w...

Nesting 7.6 Doll Stacking Matryoshka SANTA CLAUS [Height: 7.6 inches (19 cm). Materials: linden wood, gouache, lacquer; Made in Russia. Kirov; Art-Alyans. 5 pieces] [In Russian culture, the New Year is the ultimate celebration of the holiday season. And Ded Moroz - whose name comes from the words for Grandfather Frost and is the Russian version of Santa Claus - is a New Year's symbol that should absolutely grace every home! This matryoshka makes a lovely Christmas or New Year's gift for both adults and children. Each doll is different: Ded Moroz is largest, followed by Snowman, Snegurochka (Snowmaiden), Penguin and a Christmas tree] [As all of our nesting dolls, this one is handcrafted in the heart of Russia. It is hand turned from linden wood and then hand painted by a professional nesting doll artist. It is a typical nesting doll, and each smaller piece of the set fits into the next larger one. Each doll is coated with 3-5 layers of crystal clear lacquer. It is a wonderful Russian traditional souvenir. Painted multi-piece matryoshka has become the symbol of Russian national art] [Each pattern is unique and hand printed with beautiful paint, which makes its dress glamouring. Matreshka dolls are carved individually on a lathe out of soft wood and then brightly printed. The artists borrow their designs from folk art, fairy tales and the artist's personal fantasies] In Russian culture, the New Year is the ultimate celebration of the holiday season. And Ded Moroz - whose name comes from the words for "Grandfather Frost" and is the Russian version of Santa Claus - is a New Year's symbol that should absolutely grace every home! This matryoshka makes a lovely Christmas or New Year's gift for both adults and children. Each doll is different: Ded Moroz is largest, ...

Scandinavian Folk Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive) $3.71 155 traditional folk art decorations: fruit and floral centerpieces, borders, wreaths, children in peasant garb, much more....

European Folk Art Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive) $5.15 Traditional motifs from Austria, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Switzerland, and other European countries include scores of charming designs incorporating florals, wildlife, and human figures in folk costumes. Ideal for adding a touch of Old World flavor to a variety of print and craft projects. 265 black-and-white designs....

Charted Folk Designs for Cross-Stitch Embroidery: 278 Charts of Ancient Folk Embroideries from the Countries Along the Danube (Dover Needlework) $7.95 ...

Technorati Tags: art, audio, photo, radio, russian folk art designs, sharing