The Russian American Company in Sitka Alaska has for over 40 years been importing Christmas themed folk-art directly from the artists in Russia. Along with carved and painted Grandfather Frost Santa figurines, we have a huge selection of delightful traditional Russian Christmas ornaments in stock year-around. Many of the best Russian Christmas ornaments are hand-painted by the same exclusive artists from which we source our Russian nesting dolls.
Each ornament is hand-crafted, many signed by the artists, and most are painted on kiln-dried lynden wood. The themes of Russian Christmas, Grandfather Frost and the snow maiden, winter landscapes, and Russian peasant life are all available; as well as ornaments depicting wildlife, snowmen, and famous Russian fairy tale scenes. Some of our exclusive Russian ornaments are finely detailed reproductions of Russian religious icons, and we even have commissioned our artists to do ornaments of our own local Sitka Russian Orthodox church.
The tradition of hanging Christmas ornaments on the Christmas tree came to Russia probably from Europe. The first Christmas ornaments were mostly made out of fabric and created little fabric dolls and other toys that were often found in people's houses. The ornaments that the Europeans who worked in Russia on the contracts, were bringing with them, sparked the idea of the first Russian ornaments.
As the 18th century began, Russians started to develop and produce their own Christmas ornaments, not only did they use fabric, but they also used materials such as metal and wood. As linden wood was readily available in Russia and was easy to carve on it, this material became the popular for making Christmas ornaments in Russia. Although in the beginning the Russian Christmas ornaments were quite expensive and were only available to the wealthy. At first they only carved the ornaments by hand, only later did they begin to paint them.
For a huge selection of Russian Christmas ornaments available year-around, please shop our website. Also available in our store and on the website are Alaskan themed Christmas ornaments, and other Christmas art and souvenirs, and the finest in authentic Russian and Alaskan art and folk-art.