Russian Khokhloma

Russian Khokhloma is a style of folk art famous for it's rich colorful designs painted on wooden spoons, plates, cups, bowls and other items then lacquered then fired.  It's thought to date back to around the 17th century and is named after a village that today is known as the Koverninsky District of the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.  (Now there's a mouthful!)

The craft has undergone little change over time and is so distinct one can hardly confuse it with any other pattern – a rich floral motif mixing red, black and festive gold (the latter being in fact silver before it is given a few coats of special lacquer and put in the furnace); and the distinctive effect it has when applied to cheap and light wooden tableware or furniture, making it look heavier, metal-like, and glamorous

For Russians, golden leaves and flowers symbolize a happy life and are believed to bring light and wealth.

Despite being so very Russian, khokhloma utensils are seldom found in Russian homes - even more seldom are they used for their primary purposes, as spoons, cups, bowls or dishes. They are much more often seen traveling abroad to remind visitors of their trip to Russia. (ref: Wikipedia and Russiapedia).

I, myself, have never been to Russia but I was able to procure a lovely strawberry patterned decorative ladle and a small decorative spoon in a different pattern that I offer in my store.  Below is a photo of the ladle.  Visit us at Le Petit Marche!