All-Russian Museum of Arts and Crafts

The All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art which was established just recently, in 1981, became the first Russian museum with the extensive collection of ethnic arts and crafts as well as modern authors' hand-made masterpieces from all over Russia. The Museum exhibits the best works of Russian craftspeople that worked in the period from the 16th to the 20th century. The folk crafts form the largest part of the Museum collection that nowadays numbers over 65 thousand exhibits. One of the richest museum collections is the collection of toys and decorative sculpture made of wood. The amusing figures of people, animals, fairytale characters and even small genre compositions are cut from the soft species of wood such as aspen, alder and linden. Expressive wooden figures attract small children who recognize in some sculptures their favorite fairy-tale characters. The art of lace and embroidery of different regions of Russia is also represented quite comprehensively. The special place in the exposition is devoted to the famous wool shawl and headscarves made in Pavlovsky Posad. Among the richest collections of the Museum there is the collection of lacquering painting representing the art of the celebrated masters of Fedoskino, Palekh, Kholuya, collections of samovars, art castings, jewelry of the leading workshops and manufactures of the 19th-20th centuries, china and glass including the masterpieces made by unknown artists at the Royal works and many more. The collection of china of 1917-1970s owned formerly by famous singers and actors (L. Utesov, M. Mironova and Menaker) and the collection of the late 19th- beginning of the 20th century furniture in national Russian style are truly unique. The All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art welcomes even the youngest visitors. Children examine bright colorful works of applied art with the great interest. Besides, the Museum organizes special workshops where children can paint a matreshka or a carved toy, and sculpt a figure they like from clay or spin thread. The museum is situated in the very center of Moscow, on Sadovoye Ring. Its exhibitions are housed in the ancient building that formerly served as the mansion of counts Osterman. The stately building designed by the unknown architect is the architectural and historical monument of the 18th-19th centuries.