Kholmogory bone carving
Encyclopedia
Kholmogory bone carving is a traditional handicraft practised in the villages of Kholmogorsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast
, in the north of Russia.
The craft of bone carving
was developed in the town of Kholmogory
in 17th century. It has been first mentioned in connection with the fact that two Kholmogory carbers, brothers Yevdokim and Semyon Sheshenin, were invited to work in the Kremlin Armoury
, which performed orders for the tsar’s court. The handicraft reached its peak in 18th century, under the reign of Peter the Great. Walrus ivory
, seal bones, and in rare cases even elephant and mammoth ivory were used. In 18th century, carved boxes, bracelets, portraits, and other objects were very popular.
The famous 18th century Russian sculptor, Fedot Shubin
, started his career at Kholmogory as a walrus ivory carver. In the second half of the 18th century, the most notable carvers in Kholmogory were Osip Dudin and Nikolay Vereshchagin.
In the second half of 19 century, the handicraft declined, and in 1880s only several carvers were left. The local authorities made an attempt to save handicraft, and in 1885 in the selo of Lomonosovo, close to Kholmogory, a master class in bone carving opened. The class had to be closed in 1900 due to the lack of interest. The next attempt to revive the handicraft was made in 1934, when the Central Executive Committee of USSR adopted a special decree on measures to develop Kholmogory bone carving. In 1937, the carving objects got acclaim at the 1937 World Fair in Paris. Whereas in 1930s and 1950s the main purpose of the handicraft was to serve the Soviet propaganda, and the objects were therefore carved in the Stalin Empire style, from 1960s on the carvers rediscovered the techniques and motives of the 18th century carvers, and the modern Kholmogory bone carving became more individual.
Currently the carving is being performed at the Lomonosov Bone Carving Factory.
Arkhangelsk Oblast
Arkhangelsk Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . It includes the Arctic archipelagos of Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, as well as the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea....
, in the north of Russia.
The craft of bone carving
Bone carving
Bone carving is the act of creating art forms by carving into animal bones and often includes the carving of antlers and horns. It can result in the ornamentation of a bone, or the creation of a figure. It has been practiced by a variety of world cultures, sometimes as a cheaper substitute for...
was developed in the town of Kholmogory
Kholmogory
Kholmogory is a historic village and the administrative center of Kholmogorsky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. It lies on the left bank of the Northern Dvina, along the Kholmogory Highway, 75 km southeast of Arkhangelsk and 90 km north of the Antonievo-Siysky Monastery. The name...
in 17th century. It has been first mentioned in connection with the fact that two Kholmogory carbers, brothers Yevdokim and Semyon Sheshenin, were invited to work in the Kremlin Armoury
Kremlin Armoury
The Kremlin Armory is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1808 and located in the Moscow Kremlin .The Kremlin Armoury originated as the royal arsenal in 1508. Until the transfer of the court to St Petersburg, the Armoury was in charge of producing, purchasing and storing weapons,...
, which performed orders for the tsar’s court. The handicraft reached its peak in 18th century, under the reign of Peter the Great. Walrus ivory
Walrus ivory
Walrus tusk ivory comes from two modified upper canines. The tusks of a Pacific walrus may attain a length of one meter. Walrus teeth are also commercially carved and traded. The average walrus tooth has a rounded, irregular peg shape and is approximately 5cm in length.The tip of a walrus tusk has...
, seal bones, and in rare cases even elephant and mammoth ivory were used. In 18th century, carved boxes, bracelets, portraits, and other objects were very popular.
The famous 18th century Russian sculptor, Fedot Shubin
Fedot Shubin
Fedot Ivanovich Shubin is widely regarded as the greatest sculptor of 18th-century Russia.A peasant's son, Shubin was born in a Pomor village near Kholmogory and, inspired by the example of his neighbour Mikhail Lomonosov, he walked all the way to St Petersburg at the age of 18...
, started his career at Kholmogory as a walrus ivory carver. In the second half of the 18th century, the most notable carvers in Kholmogory were Osip Dudin and Nikolay Vereshchagin.
In the second half of 19 century, the handicraft declined, and in 1880s only several carvers were left. The local authorities made an attempt to save handicraft, and in 1885 in the selo of Lomonosovo, close to Kholmogory, a master class in bone carving opened. The class had to be closed in 1900 due to the lack of interest. The next attempt to revive the handicraft was made in 1934, when the Central Executive Committee of USSR adopted a special decree on measures to develop Kholmogory bone carving. In 1937, the carving objects got acclaim at the 1937 World Fair in Paris. Whereas in 1930s and 1950s the main purpose of the handicraft was to serve the Soviet propaganda, and the objects were therefore carved in the Stalin Empire style, from 1960s on the carvers rediscovered the techniques and motives of the 18th century carvers, and the modern Kholmogory bone carving became more individual.
Currently the carving is being performed at the Lomonosov Bone Carving Factory.