At the end of the 18th century, in the village of Fedoskino near Moscow, a merchant Pyotr Korobov opened his production of lacquered army visors. Three years later, he visited the factory of Johann Stobwasser, in Braunschweig, where he studied the technology of making objects from papier-mâché. On his return to Fedoskino, Korobov, using a similar technology, began to produce snuffboxes that were popular at that time. They were decorated with engravings glued onto the lid, sometimes painted and lacquered.
In the second quarter of the 19th century, Korobov’s tobacco boxes, small decorative boxes for beads and other products were decorated with miniatures made with oil paints in a classical brushwork style. This artistic craft began to be called the Fedoskino miniature.
Papier-mache was glued in several layers, placed under a press, and then wrapped around a special form, depending on the shape and size of the future item. The resulting box was dipped in hot linseed oil and thoroughly boiled, so that the cardboard was properly soaked. The box, then, was sent to the oven to dry. Papier-mache had wood like qualities: it could be cut and even processed on a lath.
The Fedoskino lacquer miniature was made with oil paints, applied in three or four layers. The first layer (zamalevka) was applied to the coated lid — sketch of the future composition. Then, the second step was called peremalevka or detailed writing — making a more detailed sketch. On top of this layer, transparent oil colors were applied in order to glaze the box. The process was completed with the last step — blikovka — adding light strokes that reflected the glare and light spots. The original Fedoskino technique was called a “transparent” manner of painting: before painting, a reflective material was applied to the surface (metal powder or gold leaf). This material shone through the paint, creating the effect of a glowing three-dimensional image. In addition to miniature paintings, the pieces were decorated with a skan’ (Russian filigree) — thin twisted threads of foil.
The decorative box from the Yershov Museum Complex of Ishim City collection is made in the old Fedoskino technique, and the artist N. Frolova painted this exhibit. She depicted the heroes of the fairy tale written by Pyotr Yershov ‘The Little Humpbacked Horse’ on the lid: Ivan with the Firebird and a feather in his hands.
In the second quarter of the 19th century, Korobov’s tobacco boxes, small decorative boxes for beads and other products were decorated with miniatures made with oil paints in a classical brushwork style. This artistic craft began to be called the Fedoskino miniature.
Papier-mache was glued in several layers, placed under a press, and then wrapped around a special form, depending on the shape and size of the future item. The resulting box was dipped in hot linseed oil and thoroughly boiled, so that the cardboard was properly soaked. The box, then, was sent to the oven to dry. Papier-mache had wood like qualities: it could be cut and even processed on a lath.
The Fedoskino lacquer miniature was made with oil paints, applied in three or four layers. The first layer (zamalevka) was applied to the coated lid — sketch of the future composition. Then, the second step was called peremalevka or detailed writing — making a more detailed sketch. On top of this layer, transparent oil colors were applied in order to glaze the box. The process was completed with the last step — blikovka — adding light strokes that reflected the glare and light spots. The original Fedoskino technique was called a “transparent” manner of painting: before painting, a reflective material was applied to the surface (metal powder or gold leaf). This material shone through the paint, creating the effect of a glowing three-dimensional image. In addition to miniature paintings, the pieces were decorated with a skan’ (Russian filigree) — thin twisted threads of foil.
The decorative box from the Yershov Museum Complex of Ishim City collection is made in the old Fedoskino technique, and the artist N. Frolova painted this exhibit. She depicted the heroes of the fairy tale written by Pyotr Yershov ‘The Little Humpbacked Horse’ on the lid: Ivan with the Firebird and a feather in his hands.
