Lacquer miniature

The tradition of the lacquer miniature came to Russia from the Orient supposably from India. It became really popular in European countries in the middle of 18^th century and was brought to Russia by the Russian master of art Korobov in the end of the same century. In 1795 Korobov founded a factory in the village Danilkovo (later Fedoskino) near Moscow where he initially produced military cap-peaks and later, after he visited Germany, snuffboxes and boxes made of papier-mâché. Initially these boxes were not the same as we see them now. Korobov used prints and glued them on the surface of the boxes sometimes coloring them and covering with lacquer. The idea of such boxes was really popular and in several years he decided to invite some artists who began to paint different miniatures on their surface. From that period of time the prosperity of Fedoskino lacquer miniature painting on papier-mâché began.

After Korobov’s death the factory was inherited by his daughter but soon devolved to the Lukutins and its name was changed to Lukutinskaya factory.

In 1910 ten craftsmen of the factory founded the so-called “Fedoskino guild of former Lukutinskaya factory craftsmen”. Several years later the school won the first prize on the agricultural exhibition in Kiev and after that some more awards in the country and abroad. Fedoskino school became very popular in the Soviet Union as well cause one of the most widespread themes was portraits of different soviet politicians and noblemen. Up to the day it is considered to be one of the most famous Russian traditional crafts in the world.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-11