Tableware as art: folk crafts in the Department Store
The
Department Store at the National Centre RUSSIA offers a wide range of products
crafted by masters of traditional folk arts. Visitors can find not only items
adorned with the famous Gzhel and Zhostovo painting styles but also other
unique goods, such as ceramic tableware from the Nikolo-Solbinsky Convent and
much more.
The women’s
Nikolo-Solbinsky Convent in the Yaroslavl region has long been renowned for its
skilled artisans. In 2023, their works were granted a special status, becoming
part of Russia's folk crafts legacy. Inspired by the surrounding nature, as the
monastery is nestled in a picturesque forested area, these creations reflect
the beauty of their environment. A wonderful addition to the monastery ceramics
are embroidered napkins and other textiles. Especially for the National Centre
RUSSIA, a collection of napkins featuring designs inspired by the fairy tales
of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin has been created.
The Moscow
region is represented by tableware adorned with the famous Gzhel painting. The
elegant blue patterns perfectly align with modern trends and look harmonious
both on classic tea sets and on coffee travel mugs, which are especially
popular among the younger generation.
In
addition, the Department Store offers handcrafted items from various regions.
For example, tableware from the Stavropol region amazes with its beauty and
incredible craftsmanship. Plates, cups, and vases bloom with stunning flowers:
roses, tulips, daisies, and violets. These items resemble true works of art and
can turn even an ordinary tea session into an atmospheric ceremony.
For those
who prefer minimalism, there is ceramics from the Voronezh region featuring
delicate natural patterns and concise inscriptions. Its creator is ceramicist
Andrei Mamontov, who studied under the renowned sculptor Felix Azamatov and
participated in his exposition with his own works in 2016. Today, the
ceramicist employs wheel-throwing, casting, and hand-molding techniques in his
work, using the safest glazes so that all items can be safely used in everyday
life.
It is
impossible to overlook the tableware from the trendy Dombo brand from Buryatia,
inspired by the region's national culture. The creators chose the traditional
Buryat dombo jug as the name, and the brand's mission is to bring beauty and
comfort to every home by reviving Buryat traditions. The brand collaborates
with renowned artists of the republic to create its designer tableware.
The title
of the most enchanting brand in the department store could go to the vibrant
Markovsky brand, Lukomorye, born out of a love for Russian folk tales. Its
tableware and decorative items reference familiar childhood themes and create
that warm feeling of home. Each item is handmade in limited quantities.
Especially for the department store, characters like Zmey Gorynych and Baba
Yaga are joined by the Lion — the symbol of the National Centre RUSSIA.
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