Kargopol toys facts for kids
Kargopol toys (Russian: Каргопольская игрушка) are special clay figures. They are shaped and then painted. These figures often look like people or animals. They are a very old type of folk art from Russia. People make them by hand. You can find them in and near the town of Kargopol. This town is in the Arkhangelsk Oblast region, in northern Russia.
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Kargopol Toys: Clay Art from Russia
What Are Kargopol Toys?
Kargopol toys are unique handmade items. They are created from clay that is shaped and then baked. After baking, artists paint them with bright colors. These toys usually show single characters. They might be people, animals, or even a mix of both. The front of each toy is often more decorated. This means they look best when viewed from the front.
A Look Back: History of the Toys
This special art began in the 1800s. It started in the areas west of Kargopol. The people who made these toys were not professional artists. They were farmers, called peasants. They made the toys when they had free time. A famous toy maker was Ivan Druzhinin. He lived from 1887 to 1949. He was well-known in the early 1900s.
The art almost disappeared in the 1930s. It was a difficult time for many traditional crafts. By the 1950s, only one artist was still making these toys.
The Artist Who Saved Them: Ulyana Babkina
The person who kept this art alive was Ulyana Babkina. She lived from 1889 to 1977. She was the only artist making Kargopol toys in the 1950s. Her beautiful toys became famous across Russia. The Russian Artist Union noticed her work. Thanks to her, the art of making Kargopol toys was saved and brought back to life.
Colors and Characters
Today, Kargopol toys are known for their bright colors. Artists often use white, red, yellow, and black. This is different from the old masters. They used the natural color of the clay. Their toys had more quiet, natural colors.
One very special character is called a Polkan. A Polkan is a unique figure. It is a mix of a human and a horse. You will often see this interesting character in Kargopol toys. Most toys show just one character. It is rare to see a group of two or three characters together.
