Narrow Results By
- Date
- n.d.
- Material
- wood; string; metal
- Catalogue Number
- 108.05.1034
- Description
- A traditional folk toy of a bear and fox that has been hand carved. Woodcarvings, much like this one, have been a preoccupation for Russia handicraftsmen for centuries. The small village of Bogoroskoye has long been the most celebrated center of wood carving in Russia. At one time it was fairly co…
1 image
- Title
- Figurine Toy
- Date
- n.d.
- Material
- wood; string; metal
- Dimensions
- 9.0 x 3.9 x 20.8 cm
- Description
- A traditional folk toy of a bear and fox that has been hand carved. Woodcarvings, much like this one, have been a preoccupation for Russia handicraftsmen for centuries. The small village of Bogoroskoye has long been the most celebrated center of wood carving in Russia. At one time it was fairly common for everyday items such as utensils and various domestic appliances to be carved to resemble common animals. Clever toys depicting animals in humorous activities have been age-old favourites. Coincidentally the bear is one of the principal figures portrayed in Russian literature as a special animal closely related to humans. There is a moveable piece of wood located on the viewer right side that allows the animals to come to life on command. The carving consists of a bear, who is fishing, and a fox. Between both of the animals is a bucket with two fish sticking out of the top. Both animals are facing towards the extended piece of wood on the viewer right side. The sly looking fox seems to be waiting for the perfect moment to steal one of the fish sticking out of the bucket, which is conveniently located at the bear’s back out of his sight line. There is a string attaching the bears fishing line and the fox and if one pushes this short piece of wood inward, the bear that is fishing gets a lucky catch startling the fox and forcing it to move back away from the bear. This all happens in one fluid motion as you push the short piece of wood. The moveable (left arm) of the bear has been fastened in place using a metal screw that is visually obvious to the viewer. Along the front and back sides of the wood a simple yet decorative line has been carved giving it a bit more character. The wood have likely started out as one longer block of wood before artisans would have used a hatchet, special knife with a short curved blade and a wooden handle, and a set of round cutters of a different sizes to carve and shape the toy. On the bottom of the object there are three separate stamps in purple ink. None of the three markings can be made out.
- Subject
- folk art
- craft
- household
- Nick Morant
- Credit
- Gift of Nicholas Morant, Banff, 2006
- Catalogue Number
- 108.05.1034
Images
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A people's art. Primitive, naive, provincial and folk painting in Canada
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/catalogue20657
- Medium
- Library - Book (including soft-cover and pamphlets)
- Published Date
- c1974
- Author
- Harper, J. Russell
- Publisher
- (Toronto): University of Toronto Press
- Call Number
- ND246 F6 H3
- Author
- Harper, J. Russell
- Publisher
- (Toronto): University of Toronto Press
- Published Date
- c1974
- Physical Description
- 176p. : illus., port.
- Subjects
- Folk art
- Accession Number
- 2862
- Call Number
- ND246 F6 H3
- Location
- Art Library is located in Curatorial Department - Please contact Curatorial Department for access
- Collection
- Art Library
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
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Spirit of Nova Scotia : traditional decorative folk art
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/catalogue20998
- Medium
- Library - Book (including soft-cover and pamphlets)
- Published Date
- 1985
- Author
- Field, Richard Henning, 1944-
- Publisher
- Halifax : Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
- Call Number
- NK842 N68 F53
- Responsibility
- Richard Henning Field
- Publisher
- Halifax : Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
- Published Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- x, 211p. : facsims (some col.)
- Notes
- Catalogue of an exhibition organized by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, opening at the Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, Sask., Jan. 18- Mar. 9, 1986, and travelling to other galleries
- Includes bibliographical references
- Call Number
- NK842 N68 F53
- Location
- Art Library is located in Curatorial Department - Please contact Curatorial Department for access
- Collection
- Art Library
This material is presented as originally created; it may contain outdated cultural descriptions and
potentially offensive content.
Read more.