Dymkovo toys circa 1960 two women with children

Dymkovo toys, also known as Viatka toys or Kirov toys in Russian, are painted clay figurines depicting people and animals (sometimes in the shape of whistles). They represent an ancient form of Russian folk craftsmanship, still practiced in the village of Dymkovo (Kirov oblast, formerly Viatka).
Traditionally, Dymkovo toys are made by women.
HISTORY :
The tradition of Dymkovo toys goes back over 400 years. It was originally associated with the spring festival of Svistounia (from svistet, to whistle) in the Viatka region, when women modeled clay whistles in the shape of animals.
The earliest known written reference to this festival is by General Nikolai Khitrovo in 1811. He states that on this occasion, "clay dolls, painted and gilded, are sold". Dymkovo toys were famous in the 19th century, even outside the province: they could even be found in Moscow. By 1856, sixty Dymkovo families were in the business, selling around 20 to 25,000 toys a year. But the business began to decline in the 1850s, mainly due to competition from the much more profitable plaster of Paris figurines. By 1871, only sixteen families were still making toys full-time, and by the First World War, only one craftsman was still active, Anna Mezrina (1853-1938).
The art enjoyed a renaissance in the 1930s, during the Soviet era, thanks to the landscape painter Alexei Denchine (1893-1948), who persuaded craftsmen like A. Mezrin, E. Penkina, E. Kochkina, not to give up the trade and to set up an artel (production cooperative) called Viatskaya Igruchka "Viatskaya Toy", now called Dymkovskaya Igruchka, with headquarters in Kirov. Anna Mezrine's daughter Alexandra worked with her until 1934. Their work began to be recognized by museums and periodicals after the Revolution.
Subsequently, the range of subjects expanded, incorporating fairy-tale characters, ornaments and color combinations.
TECHNIQUE
Manufacturing techniques are not very different from those found throughout Russia. Figures are modelled from a mixture of potter's clay and fine river sand....
Dymkovo's toys are festive and eye-catching, with bright colors set against a chalky white background. Decorative motifs are based on geometric compositions using blue, yellow, purple, green, black and white. Form, pattern and color always form a harmonious viujelle unity.
Among the most common subjects are NURSE WITH CHILDREN, water carriers, rams with golden horns, turkeys, roosters, deer, as well as young people, clowns and ladies.
COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS
Several of the association's craftsmen are recognized artists in the Russian Federation, winners of the ILya Repine prize. The craft is passed down within veritable domestic dynasties. They are regularly exhibited nationally and internationally, and are represented in leading museums in Russi and abroad.
The largest collection of Dymkovo toys is on permanent display at the Vasnetsov Art Museum in Kirov. The Kirov Regional Museum has a unique collection.
In March 2011, the Dymkovo Toy Museum opened in Kirov, with over 700 items, of which more than 200 are on display.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nos two toys two nannies with children: a nanny with two little girls, a nanny with two little boys.
In fine condition, circa 1960. With some wear, no restoration, no cracking.
dimensions: height 30 cm
authentic Dymkovo toys
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