Museum of Zhostovo lacquer painting

The most famous in Russia factory on manufacture of lacquer art trays

Zhostovo is the most famous in Russia factory of manufacture of lacquer art trays.

Trays appeared in Russia in the 16th century, massive, wooden, painted. The trays were rich cast in silver and even gold, decorating them with elaborate engraving. In the 18th century, at the Ural metallurgical plant Demidov was first released iron tray. In Moscow at this time undernoses made of papier-mâché, they were beautiful, but very fragile. And only in the early 19th century the brothers Veshnyakov began manufacturing steel trays near Moscow, in the village of Zhostovo, where they remain available to this day.

The Highlight of Zhostovo trays in unique art murals. The main motive of painting - floral bouquet of garden large and small wildflowers. Brand Zhostovo flower - Ranunculus, the Persian Buttercup. How this Asian Buttercup fell into the basis for traditional Russian craft is a mystery, but in Russia this luxury flower appeared in the 16th century, simultaneously with the trays.

The factory opened as a museum with a beautiful exhibition of the most famous Zhostovo authors. Trays of different shapes and sizes hanging on the walls, like paintings. Bouquets, landscapes, portraits, Soviet symbols, mother of pearl, still lifes, birds of Paradise - rich stories from different eras.

But all have the common integrity - tradition colorful layered paintings on black. Layer by layer, and the petals come to life, become three-dimensional, grapes poured a glowing amber juice - a miracle!

You can book a tour and a master class, to see how the artist paints the Persian Buttercup on an iron tray, and as the result is a true Russian souvenir.