The first ladles in Rus’ were wooden. They began to be made in ancient times. In different regions, they differed in shape and decoration. Northern princedoms would often have two-handled ladles. They were given the shape of the waterfowl – geese, ducks, and swans. In the Tver neighbourhood, they carved wooden vessels called “horses”. In its shape a ladle like that was like a round bowl with inward curving edges, and one of its edges was decorated with a carved horse’s head.

Ladles also differed in their purpose. Every occasion required a special vessel. For example, cellar ladles were not used to serve the table – they were used to keep drinks in or as measuring vessels. Grace ladles were used during feasts to pass around the table after toasting somebody’s health. Small drinking ladles were meant for one person and their volume was no more than a glass. The special-use tradition was not to be breached, and every family had ladles of different shapes and sizes decorated with painting, carving or metalsmithing. They were usually displayed in a pride of place.