The art of bone carving — the oldest type of activity in decorative and applied arts. The origin of the bone carving industry dates back to the era of the beginning of human civilization. Ancient craftsmen made household items such as needles, knives, spoons, arrowheads, as well as jewelry and sacred objects.

Bone carving among the people of the north belongs to one of the ancient folk textile arts. Simple or complex — it allows you to get an unlimited number of product options. Mammoth bone is softer than walrus bone, easier to process, and makes it possible to use various techniques, including through carving. In addition, mammoth bones lie in the permafrost at different depths, so they can be painted in different dark colors-craftsmen appreciate this and use it for decorative purposes. Household items and cutlery were often covered with carvings depicting animals, birds, insects, fish, reptiles, which are traditionally found in mythology.

The Museum’s collection includes large and small spoons made of bone. A large spoon, more like a ladle in shape, is well polished. It has two symmetrical stripes with an ornament in the form of an expanded cross on transverse stripes on the outside. In the two squares around the edges of the spoon, the pattern resembles eyes. There are 12 notches on the left side of the handle.

The second spoon — conventionally trapezoidal with rounded edges. It is smaller, soup-like spoon, less fancy and polished than the larger one. On the dark surface, the pattern is clearly visible — these are “cross-shaped” images at the part of the handle that is located closer to the eater’s face. At the base of the handle is a drawing similar to the image of sharp animal fangs. The spoon, judging by its appearance, was actively used. The end of the handle is damaged — a small fragment is missing.

According to the stories of northern explorers, the Evenks considered the bravest and most courageous hunter to be the one who swallowed the most spoons when eating treats made from bear meat.

Date: XVII century
Technique: bone carving
Place: Yeniseysk district
Dimensions: 15×7 cm
Collection: Yenisei Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy named after Alexander Ignatievich Kytmanov, Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Territory
Copyright: Yenisei Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy named after Alexander Ignatievich Kytmanov, Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Territory

History of the wooden spoon on Russia has its roots in centuries ago. The first mention of it can be found in the old Russian chronicle ‘Tale of Bygone Years’, dated 1110 AD. The Russian word itself comes from the root ‘log’ — deepening.

Before the Prince, Vladimir baptized Russia, people did not use cutlery — they ate food with their hands. To raise the cultural level of the Orthodox people, the Grand Prince made an order in which he ordered to bring food only with their help. There were craftsmen who were called ‘lozhkari’ — they skillfully carved them of different lengths, shapes and volumes. The wooden spoon gradually became an integral part of kitchen utensils.

For kets, Evenks, and Selkups, their native nature served not only as a place for hunting and fishing, but they drew strength and inspiration from it. And they taught their children to use the world around them wisely. The northern people made not only dishes and household items from birch bark, but also hollowed out from wood. Purchased utensils — copper pots, teapots, porcelain cups — came into use only in the XIX century.

In a Ket or Evenk family, everyone did their work. The simplest thing that men showed their growing up sons was how to make household utensils: they made dishes with scrapers and knives. Spoons were one of the most important household items. Kets, going on a journey, hid them in belts or in a bag — such cutlery was rough work and looked like Burlatsky. The depth of the spoon and its size depended on what purpose it was intended for. One of the most common was a short-handled ladle, which was convenient when migrating.

For cutting out spoons, aspen trunks were most often used, sometimes rowan. In museum collections there are also spoons made from tree roots. Spoon blanks were made from chocks, then the wood was polished with plants and stones. The exhibition features a small wooden spoon — Ket used such an instrument, most likely, for tea drinking. The rough woodwork was done, perhaps with a knife or a special scraper.

Date: XVII century
Technique: tree
Place: Yeniseysk city
Dimensions: 13×7 cm
Collection: Yenisei Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy named after Alexander Ignatievich Kytmanov, Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Territory
Copyright: Yenisei Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy named after Alexander Ignatievich Kytmanov, Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Territory