Zhostovo is a traditional center of Russian folk art located in the Moscow region of central Russia. The Zhostovo artists are best known for their lacquered metal trays and have developed a distinctive style of painting that is based on decorative still life, with flowers and fruits as the main subjects.
The artistic traditions of the Zhostovo painters took root in the early 19th century when the production of lacquered pāpier maché items became a major trade in the area. In 1807 the first lacquered trays were produced in Zhostovo in the workshop of Filipp Nikitich Vishnyakov. The Vishnyakov family opened several workshops in the region and produced a variety of lacquered items including snuff boxes, desk accessories, and painted trays.
While the tray as a household utensil has been known since ancient times, it was the growth of cities in the early 19th century that created a demand for trays to be used in the new hotels and restaurants both for food service and as decorative accents. This new market for the Zhostovo artists allowed them to create an economically viable industry focused on tray production.
Gradually, tray production in Zhostovo became a distinctive, independent craft and under the guidance of Osip Filippovich Vishnyakov, who opened his workshop in 1825, the craft flourished.
The production of a Zhostovo tray usually required the work of three craftsmen - a smith, who produced the metal tray, a lacquer specialist who applied primer, a ground layer and the final lacquer coat, and the painter. The basic material of the tray is a thin-plated sheet of iron, coated with several layers of primer and lacquer. Originally, the metal trays were cut and formed by hand hammering. Today this labor-intensive operation has been completely mechanized.
The painting, however, continues to be done completely by hand using oil paints. Originally the paintings were more varied in theme and included scenes of the racing troika, landscapes, and floral ornamentation. Bright colors applied with quick direct strokes are used to create the beautiful bouquets of flowers and decorative flourishes. Each composition is a unique creation, improvised yet restrained by traditional form.
The decoration of a tray is done in several stages. First the overall background colors are applied and then the tray is fired in a kiln for several hours. After cooling, the tray is painted with an outline of the design, some shading is done, and highlights are added with touches of zinc white. Then some detailing is done by outlining flower petals and leaves which emphasizes their colors and integrates the design with the background.
Today the Zhostovo artists have expanded their production to include decorative jewelry boxes, hair ornaments, jewelry, and painted samovars.
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