The Kaluga weaving is a type of colored embroidery. It’s one of the folk crafts, the center of which has long been Tarusa. This embroidery served as an adornment of ceremonial towels and women’s festive costume. The nature of the decor was determined by the purpose of the towels, the most patterned ones were created for weddings. The foundation of the work was mesh embroidery on fabric, the local name of which is ‘cutouts’. They were made with white patterns on a red transparent background, often interspersed with embroidery of colored yellow, blue and green threads.
In 1923, with the aim of creating an embroiderers' assosiation and restoring a unique artistic craft, the artists Maria Yakunchikova (1863-1952) and Natalya Davydova (1873-1926) came to the town. Their sphere of interests and activities were handicrafts. The artist Margarita Gumilevskaya (1895–1985), who lived in Tarusa, became the artistic director of the association, recreated the fine material of the fund, lost during the Great Patriotic War. Samples of the Kaluga weaving were supplied abroad and received medals at international and world exhibitions in Paris and Brussels.
To study the Kaluga style, craftswomen and artists collected various household items in the villages: ceremonial towels, aprons, tablecloths, elements of clothing, which later formed a collection of samples of folk ornaments. Some of them include the symbols of ancient Slavic mythology — the Tree of Life, peahens, the goddess of fertility, bears, and solar signs. New ornaments based on traditional patterns were also developed.
‘The Wall Rug’ made by Gumilevskaya is an example of the traditional colored Kaluga weaving intertwining. The natural ornament of roosters with lush tails and flowers was used. White patterns on a red background are colored with numerous splashes of colored thread embroidery.
The Association ‘The Tarusa Embroidery’ still creates household items that combine the traditions of the past and a tribute to the new time. Typical motives are sometimes mixed with modern themes like space or cars.
In 1923, with the aim of creating an embroiderers' assosiation and restoring a unique artistic craft, the artists Maria Yakunchikova (1863-1952) and Natalya Davydova (1873-1926) came to the town. Their sphere of interests and activities were handicrafts. The artist Margarita Gumilevskaya (1895–1985), who lived in Tarusa, became the artistic director of the association, recreated the fine material of the fund, lost during the Great Patriotic War. Samples of the Kaluga weaving were supplied abroad and received medals at international and world exhibitions in Paris and Brussels.
To study the Kaluga style, craftswomen and artists collected various household items in the villages: ceremonial towels, aprons, tablecloths, elements of clothing, which later formed a collection of samples of folk ornaments. Some of them include the symbols of ancient Slavic mythology — the Tree of Life, peahens, the goddess of fertility, bears, and solar signs. New ornaments based on traditional patterns were also developed.
‘The Wall Rug’ made by Gumilevskaya is an example of the traditional colored Kaluga weaving intertwining. The natural ornament of roosters with lush tails and flowers was used. White patterns on a red background are colored with numerous splashes of colored thread embroidery.
The Association ‘The Tarusa Embroidery’ still creates household items that combine the traditions of the past and a tribute to the new time. Typical motives are sometimes mixed with modern themes like space or cars.
