 Mezen
painted boxes and home utensils are the most famous and popular
Russian gifts and souvenirs from Russian North. Mezen,
it is the name of the traditional handpainting in the region
of Arkhangelsk. It got it’s name after the Mezen’ river flowing
into the White Sea, where villages produced painted utensils.
The Mezen’s painting is the most ancient among other Russian
artistic art of the same kind. The craft has been originated
at the time of the formation of the first Slavic tribes. Peak
of the handicraft popularity dates from the XIX century. At
this time Mezen distaffs and baskets of bast were widely distributed.
The Mezen painting brightly displays Slavic archaic notions
about the world around. Its patterns remind pictures on the
rocks at the coast of the White Sea. The Mezen’s painting
differs from the other northern Russian paintings. It has
graphic primitive drawing and bright decorative ornaments.
The Mezen’s painting is also characterized by stingy color
palette. Craftsmen used only two colors – red and black. They
put colors on the natural wood and then covered it with drying
oil.
In spite of apparent simplicity the ornaments
are very interesting. Geometrical lines - ancient slave symbols
of the ground, sun and water are combined with the horses,
deers and birds. It was ancient way to express different messages
due to the fact that any symbol had its own meaning .
Here are the most favorite symbols of the Mezen’s painting.
Red Deer. The Slavs believed that deer brings happiness and
joy to people. Horses, also the frequent protagonists of the
Mezen ornaments. Running in a circle of the red horses simbolizes
changing seasons, living cycles, dying and reviving. Slavs
considered horses to bring the Sun on the sky every morning.
The craftsmen of the Russian North willingly portray a mythical
bird called Sirin. In the Russian Folk Art this ancient Slavic
symbol originated from Grecian cirens personifies bird of
paradise and symbolizes kindness and happiness. The square
in the center of the plate symbolizes sowed field. Boxes and
other home utensils are also lavishly decorated with cross-shaped
and solar signs – symbols of the Fire and the Sun.
Though for the most part the Mezen’s utensil
produced for women, only men could be masters of the Mezen’s
painting. Covering the utensils and gifts with the Mezen’s
painting Russian craftsman wishes people strong health, hapiness
and long life.
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