Tableware as art: folk crafts in the Department Store

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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.