Museum of Arts and Crafts
From Moscowiki
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Closed: Friday and last Thursday of the month
Moscow Museum Guide
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[edit] Description
The Moscow Museum of Arts and Crafts houses quite a number of true masterpieces, some of them, such as Faberge Collection or Vologda laces, being world-famous. This Museum gives a peculiar insight into this country and its folk traditions. Its numerous collections show everyday Russian life.
[edit] Gzhel Majolica
Gzhel Majolica collection takes its name after a place not far from Moscow. There in the 14th century people first began to decorate white cups, plates and other crockery with fantastic blue flowers. A cold combination of white and blue colors reminds of severe Russian winters and it may be an additional reason why tourists buy Gzhel plates as souvenirs.
[edit] Khokhloma
Khokhloma wood painting presents another powerful tradition in folk crafts. There is a legend about an artist who once saw a bird of luck and happiness; in Russian tradition it is a flame-like bird. He painted it at a cup and thus originated Khokhloma wood painting. Its burning red, scarlet, gold, orange and black colors create the atmosphere of an autumn Russian forest full of ripe berries, falling leaves and sunlight.
[edit] Russian Jewelry
The museum collection wouldn’t be complete without Russian jewelry – and without Faberge collection in particular. Famous Faberge eggs first appeared in the late 18th century and now are ranked among the most expensive works of art. P.K.Faberge was the first to use semiprecious stones (like lapis lazuli and crystals) with generally recognized gems (such as emeralds or sapphires). This created a great variety of colors – 124 different hues – in his masterpieces.[edit] Photos
