Golden Khokhloma Museum and Tourist Center — a museum center in the town of Semyonov. Established in July 2008 to preserve and popularize folk arts and crafts.

The Essence of the Phenomenon

The museum was created to preserve cultural heritage and present it to visitors — this is exactly what the "Exhibition" hall is devoted to. Its display changes every two to three months. It features enterprises of Russian folk crafts that preserve their distinctive character and traditions while combining them with modern developments.

Background

A new building was constructed specifically for the "Golden Khokhloma" MTC, designed to accommodate 200 people at a time. The project provides for comfortable conditions, spacious exhibition halls and halls for holding master classes.

The museum's extensive and unique collections of Khokhloma-painted items are its pride and its principal treasure. The golden patterns, embodying all the beauty of the Russian land, delight everyone who has had the chance to encounter this type of folk craft, which arose back in the 17th century in the forests beyond the Volga around the trading Khokhloma Village.

Exhibition

In the "History of the Khokhloma Craft" exhibition hall, visitors can learn about the origins of Khokhloma technique, which reach back into the distant past. Behind the glass display cases glimmers the gold of cups and vessels darkened with age, which in the past century were everyday items of peasant life.

Recently, a remarkable figure of Semyon the Spoon-Maker has taken up residence in a recreated wooden hut, crafted by the hands of our fellow countrywoman, a member of the Union of Theatre Workers and chief artist of the Murmansk Regional Puppet Theatre), Lyubov Lavrovna Pyankova.

Already by the second half of the 19th century, the range of Khokhloma products was notably diverse: a coloring technology had taken shape, and the main ornament types had been developed. The favorite motif in the painting was the traditional "travka" (little grass) — a curling branch on a gilded background.

The postwar period of development of the "Khokhloma Painting" association gave a new impetus to the craft. The exhibition features table sets for fish soup, okroshka, dumplings, and the like.

A riot of gold, red and black creates a festive mood. The exhibition presents the works of artists — true virtuosos of the art of Khokhloma who have mastered all its secrets to perfection. Among them are laureates of the Repin State Prize, Honoured Artists of the USSR and Russia, and repeat participants in international exhibitions and auctions.

Recognition of the craft's uniqueness and wide popularity found expression in the "Tsar's Room" display. A unique set of 240 items occupies the central place. Each item is crowned with the coat of arms of Russia and decorated with elements of hand sculptural carving. The hall's splendor and pomp are enhanced by a Khokhloma throne for the future Tsar.

The walls are decorated with narrative panels that blend beautifully with the stylish, original furniture line produced by the enterprise.

Modern furniture appears as an art form that successfully combines innovation and tradition, modern technology and handcraftsmanship, quality, functionality and aesthetic merit.

Example of the Museum's Regulatory Documents

« Requirements for items

for furnishing the exhibition hall of the "Golden Khokhloma" MTC in Semyonov

1. "Duck" Ladle with 6 hanging ladles Overall dimensions: 1160x1120x2440 mm.

The ladle must be made in the form of a stylized duck, traditional for CJSC "Khokhloma Painting".

In horizontal cross-section the body of the ladle has the shape of an oval bowl, at whose opposite ends are located a tail in the form of a flared wedge and a head with a slightly raised beak.

To the left and right of the head, 3 hanging ladles each are positioned along the edges.

The internal volume of the Duck's body is approximately 1.1 m(3). The ladle has positive buoyancy.

Technique: ladle-carving, joinery.

Material: solid lime wood.

Painting: traditional Khokhloma, "kudrina" style.

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Contacts

  • Phone in Semyonov : 8 (83162) 5-61-41, 5-63-33

See Also