Russian folk craft. Ancient Russian folk craft. Crafts and crafts

Russian folk craft combines a huge layer of culture. The peculiarity of our country is also that practically every corner of it, region or autonomous region has its own kind of needlework. It can be painting on various materials, clay products and toys, weaving lace, baking and much, much more.

Painting

For a long time Russia was famous for the whole world by artists. Such patterns, which were performed by our masters, could not come up with any European artist. Over time, there were even separate directions and schools that continue the traditions of our people.

It is almost impossible to list all types and techniques of painting in Russia. There are so many of them, and each carries in itself certain features of the terrain and culture. The most famous Russian folk art crafts are:

• Gzhel. These blue patterns on white porcelain are known throughout the CIS and abroad. Initially, dishes made from special white clay were used for their own needs. Over time, it spread throughout Russia and even began to be used for "pharmacy needs." An original and memorable pattern on white dishes appeared much later - at the end of the XIX century.
• Artistic folk crafts - Khokhloma. This is another well-known symbol of Russia. This idea is about 400 years old. He appeared in Nizhny Novgorod. The peculiarity of the drawing is that various fruits, flowers, birds and animals are depicted on a tree or dishes. In this case, mainly red and black paint on a gold background are used. Sometimes green and yellow are used.
• Gorodets painting. This fishery is unique in that in its technique, from the very beginning, various types of wood were used: one light, the other dark. The cut-out parts were inserted into the special notches and a unique pattern was produced. Later they began to use the tint. Almost in every picture the main element is a horse with a beautiful outstretched neck.

In addition to these techniques, which use art crafts and folk crafts, there is still a huge number of paintings, which to this day is proud of all of Russia. They are a symbol of our country and the subject of its pride. This Zhostovo and Mezenskaya painting, Fedoskino and Palekh miniatures and much more.

Pottery

As you know, Rusich were mostly sedentary and hardworking people. In everyday life, a variety of pottery was actively used. Therefore popular in those days was such Russian folk craft - pottery.

Few people know that initially only women did this. And only later, this fishery completely passed into the strong hands of men.

As a rule, they engaged in this craft in places of natural clay accumulation. As a rule, villages and settlements were formed near them. The secrets of the pottery business were handed down from generation to generation.

The most famous districts in Russia, which were famous for their craftsmen, making wonderful clay products were Novgorod, Smolensk, Ryazan, Gzhel, Vologda and many others. Usually, these were areas near rivers and lakes.

From clay was made not only dishes. Various toys, statuettes, whistles, ornaments and interior items were widely distributed. A vivid example is the folk handicrafts of Gzhel. Originally, various ceramic dishes were made here. Now in any souvenir shop in Russia you can find a ceramic product with a unique corporate blue pattern.

In the Nizhny Novgorod region pottery was founded in the 16th century. One of its centers was the village of Bogorodskoye. Until now, there is a festival of masters and fans of this craft.

In the central part of Russia were widely known and used clay tiles. Such art required special skill and endurance. Clay cashes were decorated with houses of wealthy boyars, as well as many churches and cathedrals.

Weaving and lacework

This is almost the same traditional art for Russia, as well as painting or carving. However, this ancient Russian folk craft carried a magical function. After all, the clothes of the Slavs are not only a way to protect themselves from cold and bad weather, but also a good way to save yourself once again from any evil eye, damage or disease.

That is why the pattern on the products of Russian masters is so important. For many centuries, he practically has not changed. At the same time, it is also a visiting card of every people living in Russia. They also contain information about its development, important events and heroes.

The most famous were such products of folk crafts:

• Objects of royal use. In the Middle Ages, this skill was very much appreciated, and often embroidered embroidered tablecloths, patterned fabrics and special linen cloths could be seen in the homes of wealthy boyars and princes. The most famous were the masters of Kadashevskaya Sloboda and Khamovnikov of the Moscow Region. Products from Cherkasovo and Breitovo of Yaroslavl region were also appreciated.
• Downy scarves . These products, as well as matryoshka or Khokhloma, are the visiting card of Russia. The Orenburg downy shawls became the most famous. For the first time, they became known at the dawn of the 18th century. They are made from soft and warm goat down, as well as silk, cotton and other threads taken as a basis. Also half-woolen and wool Pavlov-Posad printed scarves are known.
• Lacework . For the first time this popular craft became widespread in the 17th century. In hand lace is made with the help of wooden sticks-bobbin. In doing so, they have special grooves for the threads. It is with the help of these sticks that the wizards weave the necessary patterns. The original centers of lacework in Russia were Vologda, Mikhaylovsky district in Ryazan, Soviet district in the Kirov region and Yelets district in the Lipetsk region.

Like many folk crafts of Russia, weaving and lacework during the Soviet period and today practically does not develop. Remained quite a few masters who could completely recreate the technique and patterns of old customs.

blacksmith craft

Russia has always been famous for strong and healthy people. Knowingly blacksmithing has become one of the most honorable and revered handicrafts of our ancestors. It was about these strong and hardy people who went about legends and created bylinas, as the pride of the people and their heroes.

Iron was known to our direct ancestors - the Slavs. And already in the XI century, this Russian folk craft got the greatest distribution. Even the largest principalities were located just near the deposits of ore and clay.

Usually blacksmiths independently extracted and processed metal. At the same time, the technique of forging itself did not practically change until the 19th century. At first, a piece of metal was heated with a blacksmith's forge, and then the metal was condensed with a hammer and all the slag was removed.

Artisans made not only swords. They gave people locks and keys, axes and knives, nails and needles, boilers, weights and much, much more.

The main centers of blacksmithing in Russia became the city of Zlatoust, which was valued and revered by our kings, as a weapons capital, Pavlovsky Ostrog, Siberia, the city of Belev and many others. Naturally, these places have become famous for blacksmithing and have forever included it in the national crafts of Russia.

Carving for wood and bone

Another ancient, but not completely forgotten craft. Our people all have their own sacred meaning. Even in ordinary everyday objects, ancestors tried to use special things. This is precisely why different national crafts existed. Particularly valued products from natural materials: stone, bone or wood.

In addition to the fact that they made various objects of everyday life, art crafts, etc., with the help of carvings, the facades of buildings were decorated, sculptures were made, and so on.

Such popular crafts were especially popular:

• Shemogodskaya cut through birch bark. This art originates in the Vologda region. Beresta, despite its seeming fragility, is quite strong and durable material. Vologda craftsmen make various baskets, dishes, tues, jewelry and even shoes and clothes. The peculiarity of these products lies in the fact that the traditional pattern is interwoven with natural floral ornament, leaves and berries, flowers and stems.
• Varnavin carving on the bone. This is the art of folk crafts of Nizhny Novgorod masters. It arose on the basis of a special house carving, performed on wood. The peculiarity of such products lies in absolute uniqueness and individuality. After all, each item is done manually, without any templates or stamps.
• Abramtsevo-Kudrin carving. This extraordinary artistic craft became widely known in the XIX century. With the help of this technique, they made buckets, dishes, vases and caskets, as well as any items of home decor and use. The peculiarity of these products is the predominance of various curls, rosettes, twigs, toning and polishing of wood.

In addition to these folk crafts, Russia is rich in craftsmen who can not simply apply patterns to stone, bone or wood. They somehow supplement the natural picture of the material with their own work. That's why these products become so unusual and unique.

Folk crafts: toys

The main thing for any family is the continuation of the family. That is why children have always been given special attention. They were watched, taught, and, of course, played with them. In order to borrow a child, they made special crafts: leather, cloth, wood, stone, etc.

Russian folk crafts for children:

• Nesting doll . The most famous toy, which became a symbol of Russia. For the first time this wooden doll appeared at the end of the XIX century. In total, it consists of 8 parts. Carved an ordinary turner doll. Then she was painted and took the form of a Russian girl with the same, only smaller copies inside.
• Toy Bogorodskaya, carved . These toys began to be made in the XVI-XVII centuries. At the same time, the masters did not only ordinary sculptures, but also special moving figures. They are hunters, peasants, animals or birds, as well as whole scenes from everyday rural life.
• Dymkovo toys . Popular crafts of this settlement are known practically throughout Russia. As early as the 15th century, there arose the tradition of making funny toy-whistles made of clay. These figures of animals, people and birds carried in themselves ancient images. Traditions of this fishery were not transmitted as usual, from father to son, but from mother to daughter.

List all the famous and ancient dynasties that have dedicated their skills to children, you can endlessly. And each toy had its own character, special traits not characteristic of the rest.

Glass-blowing production

This is one of the most difficult and interesting activities at the same time. In Russia, glass blowing appeared not so long ago - in the XVIII century. Its founder was Prince Menshikov. And, in spite of the fact that foreigners were initially invited to the production, later the occupation turned into our national Russian folk craft.

The center of glass-making production was the town of Klin. It is there that now you can get to the fairy-tale fair of Christmas toys and ornaments. Why this particular town near Moscow? This region is rich in deposits of the most valuable for glass blowers - quartz sand, without which production is impossible.

Another place, known throughout the country, is the Goose-crystal. This town owes its name to an old glass-making factory, founded in the XVIII century and owned by famous Russian entrepreneurs Maltsov.

Now in this wonderful factory produce a wide variety of products from this fragile material. These are wine glasses and glasses, vases and shtofs, as well as interesting souvenirs and even interior items.

Modern exhibitions of folk crafts

Now the main thing for many Russian crafts and masters is to continue to develop. Popularity is the key to success. After all, the more people know and appreciate the craft, the better, the more orders the masters receive.

In addition, handicrafts help the new generation understand the history and culture of their own country. This is not only interesting and informative, but also very fun, especially for young children. After all, almost every our product uses bright colors, funny drawings with funny characters.

As a rule, annual fairs-exhibitions are held in places where the production of various crafts is concentrated. It is here that masters bring their best products for demonstration and sale.

The most famous and interesting fairs today are:

• Exhibition of folk handicrafts "Ladya". It takes place in Nizhny Novgorod every year. Here there are artistic crafts not only of local masters, but also of the best craftsmen of Russia. This event takes place in the middle of December.
• Ethnomir - craftsmen and craftsmen. This exhibition takes place in the Kaluga region in September. On it the best masters of Russia and the world gather. Within the framework of this festival, very interesting and informative master classes for all comers are also held.

Solovetsky craft fair. This annual event in the Arkhangelsk region is visited by craftsmen from Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Nizhny Novgorod and other master cities and villages. Especially popular visitors are folk crafts - Khokhloma, toys and gzhel.

In addition to these fairs, there are many others that collect a huge number of people and contribute to the revival of long-forgotten folk handicrafts.

Knife fishing

Art processing of metal was distributed practically throughout the whole territory of Russia. And in different areas there were whole centers for the production of knives, utensils, various cutlery.

Especially famous for their skills Nizhny Novgorod masters. Pavlovskaya Sloboda became the center of art metal trade. The first reminder of him arose in the XVI century. Then this art of folk crafts spread to other regions and regions. For example, this is the village of Vorsma. The art and skills of local masters were known far beyond Russia. In the years of the USSR, this place became the official capital of the Knife Craft.

Russian knives and cutlery were decorated with a wide variety of materials: from bone to mother-of-pearl and jasper. They produced special engraving, which served not only as an ornament, but also as a kind of industrial brand.

One of the most famous houses that made these folk-applied trades a family affair and handed over the technology and secrets of mastery from father to sons were the Ptitsyns, Zavyalovs and Biryutins. Their products made a great impression at the trade fairs in Philadelphia, London, Berlin and Paris.

Jewelcrafting in Russia

This is one of the most valuable and popular crafts of our people. Until now, the products of the ancient Russian masters amaze the mind and imagination of visitors and experts of numerous museums and exhibitions. Jewelery is remarkable in that it is based on many artistic handicrafts and folk crafts. This forging, carving, painting and much, much more.

Jewelry accompanied the Russian man from birth until his death. Even the baby was wearing any beads, and the girls were pierced with ears aged 6-8 years. Boys, as a rule, relied on one earring. In addition to these ornaments, the people were popular with a variety of bracelets, rings and precious rings, clasps and stuff. The most common materials in Russia were gold, silver and pearls. Later, during the development of active trade relations, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and garnets appeared.

Despite the fact that Russian princely houses were often invited to foreign masters, in Russia there were many of their heroes. This is Gavrila Ovdokimov, who made the lid of crayfish for the deceased Tsarevich Dmitry, Moscow masters Ivan Popov, Tretyak Pestrikov and Athanasius Stepanov.

The centers of jewelry crafts were the central regions that produced folk handicrafts - gzhel, art forging and painting, etc., Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnoye Selo, Veliky Ustyug and many others.