64 HistoricalCONTENTS sciences ARTICLES OF CRAFTSMEN – UNOFFICIAL SYMBOLS OF RUSSIA Shestakova A. Stavropol State University The question about unofficial symbols of Russia is considered here. The idea that by no means all the handi- works mentioned in popular literature can be referred to “symbols” is declared. A brief description of the most relevant handiworks is given proceeding from the history of their origin. Some judgements of the author can seem to be disputable. Not all tourists are aware of official our reckoning not all of them are equally symbols of the states, which they visit in noteworthy. This list can (and even should) their unqieted thirst for world cognition. And include Matryoshka nest-dolls, lapty (bast hardly anybody has the state flag or coat of shoes), valenky (felt boots) and Semenov arms for a keepsake to remember the visited spoons. And vice versa, exclude Uralian country by. But as for unofficial symbols or, malachite. Now in Russia mani malachite ar- as it is common to say, “brands” of the coun- ticles are made of imported material. Mala- tries, which they are going to visit, they are chite has long since ranked first among or- known to the majority of travelers. Let us put namental stones of the Urals. The Uralian aside the “eatable” symbols such as Italian malachite is considered to be the most valu- pizza, Swiss cheese, Russian pancakes, able one in the world market. But its deposits French croissants and other not less attractive (Mednorudnyanskoye, Gumishevskoye) have pleasures of the table. The food will leave been already depleted. There are large-scale only vivid gustatory sensations in the mem- deposits of malachite in Australia and the ory. But our attention is attracted by the ma- USA. In color and beauty of patterns there is terial traces remaining for long in hearth and nothing to be compared to the Uralian mala- home. It is unofficial symbols of Russia that chite. will be discussed in the present article. Unof- When speaking about the other unoffi- ficial symbols picturesquely remind of some cial symbols, each of them has its own history. natural, cultural and other peculiarities of a The Matryoshka doll is one of the visited country. They are, usually, souvenirs most popular and traditional Russia souve- – articles of craftsmen, or job shop-type pro- nirs. However, contrary to the established duction, the tourist goods. Many souvenirs opinion, a Matryoshka is not an original Rus- and articles of craftwork haven’t been used sian toy. Probably, one of the present-day for their intended purpose for a long time, but Matryoshka’s prototypes was a Japanese are still being in steady demand in tourists. figurine of a Buddhist wise man named Fu- First of all, it is connected with the fact that kurumu, inside of which there was a set of the majority of souvenirs has a pronounced smaller figurines in order of size [10]. An- national (folk) flavour. other prototype of the Matryoshka was the Perhaps, there will no one, who would “pisanka” – a hollow wooden hand-painted know nothing about Russian symbols, found. Easter egg made in Russia at all times. A As per the List quoted in one of authoritative bigger egg contained a smaller one, then a Russian editions, our country’s unofficial still smaller one, etc. [3]. The first Matryo- world famous and popular symbols are – the shka appeared in Russia at the end of XIX Khokhloma painting, crystal from Gus- century in Abramtsevo, near Sergiyev Posad Khrustalny, Palekh lacquered miniature, Pav- in the Moscow area. Nobody knows a firm lov Posad shawls, Gzhel porcelain, Uralian date of creating the Matryoshka. But in 1900 malachite, Vologda lacework, Tula samo- the Russian (Sergiyev Posad) Matryoshka vars, Orenburg woolen shawls, Dymkovo was successfully exhibited in the World Fair toys and Rostov enamel [4]. According to in Paris. In the 20-30-s of XX century the EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY ʋ3 2009 Historical sciences 65 production of Matryoshkas was developed in ference between the left and the right one other Russian regions, which became later (like valenky). Lapty were not a long-lasting traditional centers of their manufacture – footwear. In winter a peasant wore one pair Vyatka (Kirov), Semenov and Polkhovsky of lapty not longer than 10 days, and in Maidan (Nizhny Novgorod Region). Later on summer he treaded them down for 4 days. Matryoshkas became manufactured in Vo- Nowadays, the lapty lessened up to the ronezh, Tver and Novokuznetsk. Traditional size of a palm are weaved in many regions of Matryoshkas produced on the shop floors of Russia. Coins and banknotes are put inside the national artistic trades have their artistic such souvenir lapty by exotic lovers – “for features and hallmarks. Matryoshaks’ names luck”. depend on the place of their production. Valenky – is a unique know-how of In parallel with the output of tradi- the Russian people. The advantage of tional Matryoshkas inmany regions of Russia valenky is that they are made without a sin- there appeared authors’ Matryoshkas. They gle stitch, and therefore they are soft and are different variants of a Russian peasant comfortable. For this ingenious plainness a girl in the folk clothing, Russian heroes, rep- naïve-to-foolishness person is called a resentatives of pre-revolutionary nobility and “valenok” in the popular folklore. The first merchantry. There are Matryoshkas “a la records about Russian valenky occur in the Gzhel”, “a la Zhostovo”, “a la Palekh”; Ma- chronicle of “The Lay of Igor’s Warfare”, tryoshkas – characters of tales - “Kolobok” XII century [9]. Originally valenky were (“Dough-boy”), “Repka” (“Turnip”), “Tere- short with cloth boot-tops. And only in XVIII mok” (“Palace”) and others. A new event in century they acquired a customary look for the Russian Matryoshka painting is a “politi- us. The countrymen found valenky to be to cal” Matryoshka, which depicts Russian their liking. Before that, as it is known, peo- Tsars, Russian and foreign political and pub- ple in the country wore lapty summer and lic figures, popular actors, etc. winter alike, they being frayed soon. Valenky Lapty, also being considered a “sym- were expensive. They were passed from one bol“ of Russia, figure in a multitude of say- generation to another. The rural family, ings and proverbs. In Russian folklore the where all the members wore valenky was word “lapot” denotes a simpleton, an unedu- thought to be a prosperous one. In other cated person. At the beginning of XX century families there could be only one pair of Russia was often called a “lapot” country. valenky for all. And it was not by incident. All Russian coun- Today there are factories to produce tryside exclusive of the Siberia and Cossack valenky in Russia and three CIS countries – areas wore lapty all the year round. Lapty Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Byelorussia. Usu- were traditionally considered to be the shoes ally valenky are made of sheep hair. But of the underprivileged – the poorest part of there can be goat, camel and even dog population [5]. valenky. To make a pair of valenky (depend- Making lapty was a winter occupation ing on the size) takes from 4 to 7 kg of wool. of peasants being free from the field works. The souvenir and “glamour” valenky are Lapty were weaved from the bark of many made of any wool. There are orange, green, foliage trees: linden, birch, elm, oak, etc. The violet, burgundy valenky; embroidered bast lapty, weaved from the linden bast, were valenky; valenky decorated with fur, strasses thought to be the most durable and soft. For and tapestry [9]. There are Valenky Muse- durability and warmth the prosperous peas- ums in Moscow, the city of Myshkin (Yaro- ants sewed on a leather sole to their lapty. slavl Region) and village of Urusovo (Mor- Lapty were fixed on the foot with the help of dovia). A specialized store “Russian long strings or leather laces. Lapty were Valenky”, the main visitors of which are for- made on one shoetree and there was no dif- EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY ʋ3 2009 66 HistoricalCONTENTS sciences eigners, was opened in Moscow in winter, action of temperature becomes golden in 2005. color. Sometimes, instead of the aluminum The Semenov spoon – is a souvenir powder the tin one is uses, and then a “sil- having become a world famous brand [8]. In ver” article is obtained. The Khokhloma to- olden times the spoons, which peasants used day – is wooden dishware, furniture, various in Russia, were solely made of wood. The souvenirs. center of spoon production was the city of The crystal from Gus-Khrustalny. Semenov, which was called the “Spoon capi- The Gus Crystal Plant was founded in 1756 tal” of Russia. The spoons were made by by a merchant from Oryol Akim Maltsov. thousands of handicraftsmen-peasants living Crystal and glass were founded at the plant. in the city and neighboring villages. Each of It worked on domestic raw materials. The ar- them had his own speciality: spoon-carvers, ticles of the plant were awarded the highest painters engaged in painting the “cloth” and premium “Grand Prix” at the World Fair in lacquerers engaged in surfacing [2]. The Paris in 1900. The well-known Gus flagons availability of wood, closeness of trade cen- with roosters and bouquets brought the world ters, entrepreneurial spirit and virtuosity of fame to the plant. The best articles made by local handymen promoted the craft develop- the plant craftsmen are exhibited at both do- ment. Nowadays there are various painting mestic and foreign fairs. Nowadays the plant motives on Semenov spoons: rowan-berries, keeps the status of an artistic production and raspberries, cherries and golden leaves of is famous for its glass.