The Dymkovo toy is one of the oldest Russian art crafts. It has existed for over four centuries. The direction has not lost its popularity, on the contrary, the success remains unchanged both in the country and abroad.
The birthplace of the toy is Dymkovskaya Sloboda, which is part of Kirov (formerly Khlynov or Vyatka). There is a legend about the origin of the craft. One day friendly troops met near the city at night. Not recognizing each other in the darkness, they began the battle. Many soldiers were killed in it. After that, a tradition arose to celebrate a feast every year.
Inception
Over time, the event turned into a dance festival. Painted clay balls were thrown at it and whistled. The future of the Dymkovo settlement was determined by the deposits of clay in it for the production of ceramics, as well as the constant demand for whistles and balls from it. Gradually, they developed their own methods of transforming local products into unique ones.
The folk toy appeared by the fifteenth century. By that time, many Slavic beliefs were forgotten. The transformation of the form began. The figurines began to take on their familiar appearance. The Dymkovo toy, which has become familiar, reflects the Russian way of life of the century before last. In a later period, gentlemen and ladies appeared in magnificent outfits.
The masters have carefully preserved their techniques and techniques since the inception of art. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the craft was on the verge of extinction. Only AA Mezrina, the only hereditary craftswoman, remembered the technology. Through the efforts of her and the artist A. I. Denypin, who began to revive the ancient craft, a group of enthusiasts was created. They were able to revive and return the former fame of the Dymkovo toy.
One of the indispensable conditions for the existence of crafts is the emergence of new plots. Craftswomen of the twenties of the last century significantly expanded the set of images. Mezrina carefully monitored the observance of the traditional rules of modeling and painting.
The popularity of group compositions began with E. A. Koshkina. The most famous was her work "Sale of Dymkovo toys." The craftswoman made the craft in 1937 for an international exhibition held in Paris.
E. I. Penkin, and O. I. Konovalova, daughter of Mezrina, began making animals from clay.
Features of the
Modern products are more artistic. The craftsmen believe that it is impossible to find a pair of identical figures. Conventionally, all variety is divided into five groups:
- female images;
- male images;
- animals;
- birds;
- compositions.
The first group includes nurses, mothers and nannies with babies, a water-carrier, fashionistas, ladies. All figurines are static, head with headdress and majesty.
Cavaliers are smaller and more modest in appearance. Usually the figurines are on horseback.
At first, the animals looked like totemic images. Over time, pets have appeared among deer, rams, goats and bears. All animals have thrown up heads, widely spaced short legs. Irony is often used: the figures are dressed in bright costumes and are equipped with musical instruments.
Birds are molded with curly tails, ducks are supplied with a fluffy cape with frills. Then the figures are brightly painted.
Multi-figure groups are very diverse. They show the life of domestic settlements.
Manufacturing
All toys expand downward. This is the hallmark of the Vyatka brand. The peculiarity is caused by the manufacturing technology. Long and thin legs will not provide a stable figure. She settles in the process of work.
They make toys in stages. The main manufacturing steps are:
- modeling;
- drying and firing;
- whitewash;
- painting.
Molding
Balls of various sizes are made from oily washed and diluted with sand. They are flattened into flat cakes. They are used to mold the body of toys. Heads, tails, hands are attached to it. The fixation points are moistened, the joints are smoothed with a cloth moistened with water. With wet fingers, the figures are aligned.
The work on the images of the ladies begins with sculpting a tapered skirt. The torso is attached to it. A ball-head is fixed on a slightly elongated neck. A little lower, hands folded at the waist from a clay sausage blank are attached.
Then the toy is complemented by a hairdo made of twisted brooches, a hat or a kokoshnik. A scarf with patterns is thrown over the shoulders of the toy, or the figure puts on a jacket. The lady gets a dog, a child or a handbag in her hands.
The horse consists of a cylinder-body, short tapered legs, a curved neck that turns into an elongated muzzle. Complement the toy with a mane, tail and small ears.
Drying and firing
The stucco toys are dried before firing. Its duration depends on the size of the figures and lasts from three days to three weeks. Then firing begins.
Previously, it was made on an iron baking sheet set over wood in a Russian stove. The toy was red-hot and then cooled in the oven. Modern firing is carried out on special electrical equipment.
Whitewash
The red-brown figures are whitened. A solution for this is prepared from milk and powdered chalk. When the milk turns sour, the solution hardens, leaving an even layer of casein on the surface of the product. All attempts to change the composition ended in failure. The hue of the toy became yellowish, the texture became uneven.
Therefore, the whitewashing technique remains the same as before. It is allowed to deviate from technology only in children's creativity. For whitewashing, take the usual gouache. After the layer has dried, they proceed to painting the toy.
Painting
Patterns are applied with bright colors. The palette is limited to red, blue, brown, green, orange, crimson and yellow. By diluting the basic tones with chalk, additional shades are obtained. Tassels previously served as sprinkles wrapped in linen rags. Therefore, the ornament was distinguished by its simplicity.
It is represented by circles, rhombuses, straight or wavy lines. Not only the use of high-quality brushes, but also the addition of a raw egg to the paint helps to give the figures a greater shine, and the saturation of the tones helps.
At the final stage, the product is decorated with gold leaf. It is attached to the lady's hat, collar, horns and ears of animals. With the help of this technique, a special festivity of products is achieved.
Usually, a scheme is used for painting. All human faces are monotonous. The mouth and cheeks are outlined in crimson. Black dye is used for round eyes and eyebrows. Hair is usually dark, brown or black. The headdress or shirt is monochromatic, skins and skirts are covered with strict geometric patterns.
The composition appears as the work is done, depending on the size and shape of the toy. A very simple ornament is symbolic. Wavy lines mean water, crossing lines - a log house, a well, circles with dots in the middle - symbols of heavenly bodies.
Fishing value
The history of the Dymkovo fishery is connected with the history of the country. Therefore, in all kindergartens and schools there is a study of the "haze" in the lessons of creativity. The process of sculpting and decoration itself is quite simple; even kids can master it in a simplified form. For them, such classes are a guide to familiarize themselves with traditional ornaments. By drawing their elements, children are introduced to their native culture.
There is no serial production in modern industry. Each figurine is unique. It is performed manually according to the canons observed for centuries. All craftswomen have their own style, therefore each product is unique. This ensures the popularity of the figurines. Now it is a bright souvenir.
Many organizations are engaged in the development and preservation of the fishery. In 2010 Kirov, a monument to the Dymkovo toy was erected. The sculptural group consists of a lady with a baby in her arms, a gentleman playing an accordion, a child and pets. At the opening of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the "haze" is also presented. Toys, as a visiting card, show the uniqueness of Russian culture.
