Russia is not only known for its magnificent architecture, beautiful women
and good food but it will also amaze you
with one of a kind exquisite jewelry created by local artists.
Russian Lacquer Art was developed from the art of icon painting.
After Russian revolution in 1917 icon painters were forced to stop
creation of religious art and
transfer the styles and techniques of icon-painting to
painting subjects such as fairy-tales and folk scenes
on papier-mache boxes and jewelry.
Four Russian lacquer art centers are
Fedoskino
Paleh
Kholuy
Mstyora
Here are some examples of
superb craftsmanship from my personal collection
This brooch named ” Boyarishnya ” which is a member of the old aristocracy in Russia, next in rank to a prince.
This piece was created in Fedoskino and signed by N. Mitrofanov
Hand painted Mother of Pearl set in german silver
comes in original box with original paperwork
dated year 1990 .
Baltic Amber is a huge part of Russian jewelry making.
There is a lot of myths and stories about Amber but my favorite is
Lithuanian myth ” The story of lost love “
Perkunas, God of Thunder, was the father God and his daughter was Jurate,
a mermaid who lived in an amber palace in the Baltic.
One day a fisherman named Kastytis would cast his nets
to catch fish from Jurate’s kingdom.
The goddess sent her mermaids to warn him to stop fishing in her domain.
He did not stop, so Jurate went herself to demand he stop.
Once she saw him she fell in love and brought him back to her amber palace.
Perkunas, knowing Jurate was promised to Patrimpas, God of Water,
was angered to find his daughter in love with a mortal.
Perkunas destroyed the amber palace with a bolt of lightning to kill her mortal lover.
Her palace was destroyed and Jurate was chained to the ruins for eternity.
When storms in the Baltic stir the sea,
fragments from the amber palace wash up on shore.
They are the tears from the grieving goddess,
as she weeps tears of amber for her tragic love.
Add a little color to your world with one of a kind vintage jewelry from Russia.
BELLALOOK 