The history of Filimonovo toys, according to some calculations of historians and archaeologists, began as early as 1000 years ago. It is believed that during archaeological excavations near the Tula region were found one of the first, most primitive, clay toys of that period. As accurately established, they were made during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. These toys were called whistles due to some characteristic features. They were small figures of birds, animals and people, which were only the design for the whistling mechanism.
Purpose of Whistles
It is believed that in ancient times, during pagan times, it was possible to scare away an evil demon or spirit with a whistle, or, conversely, attract the attention of the Sun God and ask him to send rain or drought to the earth, as well as much more. That is why such a whistling figure was kept in every house.
Filimonov painting appeared on toys at the beginning of the 19th century. As the story goes, the Filimonovo toy got its name from the fugitive convict - Filimon.
Grandfather was a master not only in pottery, but also a master in the manufacture of clay toys. He was the first person who began to paint clay toys, which made his invaluable contribution to the development of art not only in the 19th century, but also in the future.
In the village where he sheltered, there was a deposit of blue clay, which served as his material. This village was near the town of Odoeva and, thanks to its history, in the future received the name Filimonovka, in honor of the master.
Work on a toy
Subsequently, almost all the men in the village began to make pots of blue clay. Thanks to this art, they managed to feed their family. Not only men participated in the molding, but also women, and even children. It was they who made whistles in their free time from work in the field and household chores. This was one of their favorite activities of the time.
Sometimes women and their daughters, who at that time could be no more than 7-8 years old, sat in a circle and, singing beautiful old Russian folk songs, sculpted their clay toys.
The meaning of Filimonovo toys
Filimonovo toy purchased home, bought for a gift. Having a toy was a very good sign. It was believed that it brings happiness, good luck, family well-being to the house, and also protects from slander and evil spells.
The Filimonovo toy for children was the so-called guard, a talisman that guarded the kids from evil. Many historians believe that at the dawn of its creation, such a whistle was not a children's toy. She had a completely different purpose. If you look closely, then on each figure you can see magic signs (Filimonov patterns), which have a certain meaning.
The shape of the toy is also interesting. She suggests that each of them means something.
Kiln firing
Throughout the year, people were engaged in the manufacture of clay objects, and then, on one of the spring days, in the center of a large field, before the beginning of its processing, they spent a great holiday. It was to burn all the clay products, and after the holiday to bring them to the market for sale.
To begin with, they dug a large hole in the center of the field, which was laid with bricks, making brick coasters (shelves) for dishes (such an unusual stove was called a stove), and then set fire to the straw, which was laid out on the dishes. After the straw was burnt, they waited until the clay cools down, and after each took their own, now white, product home.
The main place on the shelves was occupied by clay jugs, and between the jugs women put their crafts. Interestingly, after firing, blue clay became a beautiful white color. The Filimonovo toy, a photo of which can be seen in books and magazines dedicated to Russian folk art, and in the modern world in electronic sources, has exactly this distinguishing feature.
It is very comfortable. In order to paint in the future, it does not need to be covered with special paint for the base. The burnt clay is already prepared for work.
Filimonovo toys. Their images
It is generally accepted that Filimonovo toys have a certain form in which some specific designation is enclosed.
One of the most important images is the image of a woman. It is believed that the image of a woman (mistress) personifies the image of the mother, whose main goal, of course, is to continue the genus and the whole life on Earth. Visually, this figure looks very unusual.
Another image is an animal. The bear carries a symbol of masculinity, strength, and also personifies the arrival of spring - a new life. Deer is a symbol of family well-being and happiness in marriage, the warmth of relations between spouses. Traditionally, deer are presented on wedding day to newlyweds as a talisman for their future family. The horse is the personification of all living things. It was believed that the horse is a symbol of water, the sun, fertility. A cow is the embodiment of vivacity and fortitude.
Near the woman, as a rule, always depicted birds. It was birds in the old days that were considered a way of resurrecting all life on Earth. Dawn, the awakening of the earth, nature - this is all the personification of birds.
None of the toys resemble real figures of animals and birds. The figures of people resemble them very distantly. To understand which of the people is molded from clay, it is possible only thanks to the details of clothing, on which certain elements of Filimonovo painting are present.
As a rule, a woman’s clothes consist of a bell skirt and a blouse, while a man’s clothes have a bright shirt and pants.
Filimonov painting is very unusual, bold, bewitching look. Patterns on clothes speak of the most important thing - the connection of man with nature.
Many people want to know how to draw a Filimonovo toy. The outfit is bright, clear drawings that are randomly scattered across clothing. On clothes painted spots and circles, leaves and dots, dashes and stars and many other elements of the painting. The woman’s skirt was always multi-colored, the blouse was saturated bright crimson, and the hat was decorated with a bright border. A man must have stood out shirt.
Filimonov painting. Face painting
The face has always been the same. On a white background, eyes and eyebrows were painted in blue or black. Sometimes the eyes were green. The shape of the eyes has always been the same. Eyes are dashes. The mouth must have been crimson.
It was never allowed to draw expressive facial features. It was believed that the figure was a talisman, therefore it was the face of the toy that was supposed to scare away evil spirits.
Primary colors
One of the distinguishing features of the Filimonov painting was the color of the paints used. It was possible to apply shades of only 3 colors: raspberry, yellow and green. And only occasionally it was allowed to use blue and purple colors.
Another Filimonovo toy, the painting of which was always the same, is an animal. His body and neck were always painted across, and the colors were the same: green, yellow and crimson. As a result, the animal was painted with colorful stripes with a muzzle of red or green.
It is interesting that the whistle is a Filimonovo toy, the coloring of which is done not with special brushes for drawing, but with brushes made from chicken feathers.
The rite of "whistling"
Each person at least once in his life, but heard such an expression. However, few people correctly understand the meaning of the expression "arrange a whistle." People think that this expression means a quarrel or a showdown, that is, an opportunity to prove something to someone.
In fact, in the mid-19th century it was one of the most beautiful, interesting rites. On a certain day of the year, absolutely everyone went out into the street and began to sing, dance and whistle whistles together. By these actions they wanted to bow before their dead relatives, it was a certain rite of memory. After the perfect actions, people could ask God for everything they wanted. Some rained, others thanked God for a good harvest or just for good weather. All around were happy and enjoyed life.
Filimonov modeling in our time
For many, the Filimonovo toy, the coloring of clay figures, has historical significance. At the beginning of the 20th century, there are very few masters of Filimonovo painting. If Nikolay Denisov hadn’t shown interest in folk art in the 50s and 80s of the 20th century, the secrets of craftsmanship would forever be a thing of the past.
It was thanks to the creation of a group of graduates of the Abramtsevo College and their unification with the descendants of Filimonovo masters that this work reached a new level.
Painting Filimonovo toys, as well as creating its clay base, takes a lot of time. For several days (approximately 3-5, depending on the size of the toy), the figure must be constantly ironed with wet hands. This is done in order to remove small cracks that occur when the product dries - a characteristic feature of blue clay.
Only after the toy is completely dry, it is sent to the oven, where it becomes a beautiful white color. And only then they begin to paint it.
Children and beautiful toys
Great approval and support were given to classes with such products in preschool institutions. Filimonov painting in kindergarten is one of the creative projects that are firmly entrenched in the curriculum for kids.
In the process of drawing (children paint with watercolors), the teacher acquaints preschool children with the history of the Filimonovo toy, the main principles of its coloring, and also introduces children to folk art, making them feel and understand how art affects our life in the future.
Filimonovo Museum of Toys
There are many museums with Filimonovo toys throughout Russia. The largest, specialized museum is located in the Tula region in Odoev.
Here you can completely plunge into the era of Filimonovo painting, as well as try to mold a toy of blue clay yourself. As a result, everyone will remember not only a Filimonovo toy made with their own hands, a photo in the museum and the impression of a miracle, but also the most important thing - the experience of communicating with real craftsmen.