A small boxwood orb decorated inside and outside with carving on religious themes – Prayer Nut wood carving art

Prayer Nut wood carving art
First of all, to produce such a prayer nut required considerable skill. Within the scope of the concave a skillful master carved miniature stories about the life of Christ and his apostles. Noteworthy, the width of a “nut” was no more than 3-5 cm in diameter. And to add flavor to patterns the artist added leaves of spice plants or aromatic oil. Undoybtedly, every Prayer Nut is a true work of art. Only the very rich could afford to order such a pocket-like altar. Therefore, possession of “prayer nuts” underlines the high social status. Designed to be worn on a rosary or belt these orbs could be used for private devotion. In particular, when its wealthy owner traveled. Therefore, they were known as rosary beads or prayer nuts.
The skill of medieval craftsmen still amazes. Every detail of the composition conceived and executed with maximum precision. These exquisite Prayer nuts adorn exposures of the world’s leading museums. Among them the British Museum in London and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Louvre. A few years ago at an auction one such nut was sold for 133,250 pounds.

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Tues of birch bark ‘Flowers’. Made of several layers of birch bark, facing layer – stamping, water-based lacquered (eco-friendly). Bottom and lid – cedar. Ideal for storing food, dried herbs, mushrooms, berries. Birch bark art by Vadim Komarov (BeReSta63)

Birch bark art by Vadim Komarov

First of all “Tues”, or tuesok (tuesy, tueski – plural) – small birch-bark box with a lid. Classic tues is cylindrical. Another name – Burak. The word “Tues” is borrowed from Northern Russia Komi language, meaning “Birch bark”. Russian artist of applied art Vadim Komarov (BeReSta63) is a talented self-taught craftsman working with birch bark. He lives in the city of Beryozovsky, Siberia. Initially, birch bark folk crafts was only a hobby for him, as he worked as an electrician all his life. But as it often happens, his favorite hobby has become his second profession.
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Eagle & owl bench. Ryan Cook chainsaw sculpting

Ryan Cook chainsaw sculpting
Having entered the world of carving in 2011, Canadian chainsaw carver Ryan Cook quickly became an established name in the art. In addition, he has earned the respect of his fellow carvers competing in carving events around the world. In particular, invited to the English Open, The Dutch International, Invitational World Championships in Chetwynd, BC, and many others. Ryan Cook has also launched his own business Saw Valley, based out of Britannia Beach, British Columbia, where he creates custom carvings for customers. Initially, Ryan was an actor hired to play the role of “The Apprentice” on SAW DOGS. Surprisingly, never having actually carved a day in his life before the show.
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Set ‘Trinity-Sergius Lavra’. SN Moyunov and NV Petrov, Sergiev Posad, 2001 Wood, painting, metal

First of all, known since ancient times, Russian folk wooden toys are inextricably linked to cultural, folkloric and household characteristics of the corresponding historical period and the region of their production. Archaeologists have discovered evidence that wooden toys were still in East Slavic tribes in the IX century BC. However, confirmation of this presents only in historical documents. Unfortunately, samples of toys almost did not survive due to the peculiarities of wood as a material. Even the works of the masters of the XVIII century reached the present in very small quantities, and, of course, kept in the museums.
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Two under umbrella, decoupage technique. Handmade bracelets by Maya Valit

Handmade bracelets by Maya Valit
The main activity of Moscow based artist Maya Valit – residential and non-residential interior design. Her second favorite activity – interior decor, home accessories and jewelry in the decoupage technique. She is particularly engaged in creating bracelets in the decoupage technique. Maya Valit loves black and white photos, retro style, the beginning of the XX century, pastel shades, bright happy colors, elegant shapes, but she believes that everything has to be adapted to modern times. Gorgeous bracelets created by Maya Valit contain a plot that may lead to pleasant associations, thoughts or memories. Made of wood, warm, unobtrusive with discreet colors, bracelets by Maya Valit are light and look noble.
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Four decorative plates – examples of Traditional Norwegian painting Rosemaling

Traditional Norwegian painting Rosemaling is an amazing art of painting on wood. Accurate translation into English – rosepainting, quite common on the Internet translation of “drawing with a rose” the word indicates a process. This ancient art emerged in the 18th century, gained popularity in the first half of the 19th century, and is still very popular in Norway and abroad. As Norway always features a variety of dialects and variability of the same style, each locality had its own rosemaling. The best known were “rose painting” from Telemark and Hallingdal.
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Security doors in granaries, Dogon people of Mali. African doors art

African doors art

Generally, carving skill spread among all the peoples of Tropical Africa. In addition to well-known and well recognizable sculptures, ethnographers and collectors study doors art that represent much. For example, the ritual, protective, aesthetic and social status. Besides, door art has a historical, narrative, and even instructive function.
Meanwhile, almost all African peoples used images of animals on the carved doors. Animal credited special qualities or traits, and even considered as one of the ancestors of people.
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