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RUSSIA: CRAFTS
Faberge Eggs
The most important feast of the Russian Orthodox
Church calendar is Easter. It is celebrated with the exchange of
eggs and three kisses. In 1884, a Russian Emperor wanted to give
his wife a present for Easter. He asked a jeweler named Carl Faberge
to make him something special. The result was a beautiful egg of
gold and jewels. All together in the years to follow, 50 Imperial
eggs were made. Each one was less than 6 inches tall and was covered
in precious jewels. The designs for the eggs were famous pieces of
art, travels, or pieces of Russian history. Each one also opened
and contained a "surprise." Some of these surprises included a miniature
coronation coach, a miniature eagle, and a model of the Trans-Siberian
Railroad. Many of them are now on display in the Armory of
the Kremlin. Today, many artists make less expensive painted eggs
which are called Faberge eggs. Lots of people collect them.
Golden Klakhoma
Khakloma is the name of a big village on the left
bank of the Volga River. Craftsmen from neighboring villages brought
their handicrafts there to sell. One specific type of art was born in the
village. It is called the Golden Klakhoma. Artists first carve and then paint wood, crafting boxes, vases, candlesticks, and other
items for a table.
The painting has delicate grass patterns and festive coloring of
scarlet, green, and gold against a black lacquer background.
Matryoshka or Nesting Dolls
Probably the most easily identified form of Russian
crafts are the nesting dolls. They are usually brightly painted and
blend the traditions and cultures of the Russian people. They have
many themes—fairy, folk, rustic, or Imperial tales. Sets can have up
to twelve dolls.
1. Peter lives in the United States, but his mother was born in Russia.
For years, Peter's mother had admired Faberge eggs. She often told
him she would like to collect them. When Peter got a job, he made
a promise to buy his mother a Faberge egg every year at Easter for the
next ten years. The first one he bought cost $150. Every year, the
price went up 5%.
List the cost for the egg each year. What was Peter's total cost
for the eggs?
2. Uri works in a studio which makes Golden Klakhoma. His job
is to paint boxes with the black enamel. Each box must have three
coats of paint. It takes him 45 minutes to apply one coat.
He must allow 30 minutes between coats to dry. He starts at 8:00AM
and finishes at 5:00PM with a half hour off for lunch. Set up a schedule
for painting and drying 4 boxes. Call the boxes A-B-C-D.
3. Each doll in a set of 8 nesting dolls is 1.5 cm smaller than the
one before it. If the tallest doll is 14 cm, how tall is the smallest?
4. How many dolls would be in a set if the smallest is 3/4 inch and
the largest is 7 1/2 inch? Each doll is 3/4 inch larger than the
doll before it.
Russian Craft
Solutions
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