Skip to content

Gzhel Inspired Souvenirs

    Gzhel is a style of Russian painting which originates from the village of Gzhel not far from Moscow.

    Since the XIV century, the Gzhel and some 30 villages in the neighbourhood have become the centre of Gzhel production.

    Local masters painted clay household items: plates, dinner sets, mugs, jugs, toys, etc.

    Today it features distinctive blue designs on white background.

    White-and-blue paintings appear in an unusual way:

    At first, the object is painted with cobalt oxide which is black.

    Then it covered with white glaze and placed in the oven.

    After heating the glaze becomes transparent and cobalt acquires sky-blue colour. Artists paint every part with a brush, making each object an individual piece of art, hence even with the same painting pattern, each piece is never the same.

    Many people today collect Gzhel, decorating their houses with cups and plates, pitchers and samovars, clocks, teapots and presented below nesting doll.

    Gzhel art is always handmade!