The famous Dymkovo toys were traditionally handmade. Hence, each toy exists in only one copy. Craftswomen make them in their own distinctive style.
Lydia Sergeyevna Falaleyeva (1937–2015) created traditional Dymkovo toys for several decades. During that time, she developed her own unique style, which distinguished her from other masters of this genre.
On the one hand, she added a new detail, color or plot to the already established image of the Dymkovo toy. On the other hand, she tried in every possible way not to violate the ancient technologies of modeling — for example, she used only ordinary pottery clay for her creations.
Lydia Falaleyeva was born in the village of Dudintsy, Kumyonsky District, Kirov Oblast. She began working in the Dymkovo Toy Workshops in 1958. She studied under prominent, most experienced craftswomen and joined the Artists’ Union of the USSR in 1968.
Falaleyeva’s characters are easily recognizable due to the originality of the types and the features of her modeling and painting. She always gave them mobile poses. Her painting is characterized by a bright joyful combination of colors. Lydia Falaleyeva carefully thought through the ratios of smoothly painted surfaces and ornaments.
The artist did not overburden her figurines with details, only adding those that were necessary to create the character. Her works are characterized by sculptural expressiveness, enlarged dimensions, and tonal or contrasting color combinations. All this is present in the sculpture “Lady”.
The clothes on this figurine reflect the fashion of the 19th century. The lady has dressed up for a reason — to celebrate the holiday “Whistler” (“Svistoplyaska”), which is associated with the emergence of the Dymkovo toy-making tradition. It was a rowdy holiday with elements of paganism. The celebration took place on the fourth Saturday after Easter. At first, there was a prayer service in the chapel of Michael the Archangel. After the prayer, the fair itself began.
Elizaveta Ivanovna
Penkina, a craftswoman who created Dymkovo toys, recalled,
