Russian finift icons
Finift, or Enamel – an ancient decorative craft in Russia, one of the most interesting and colorful kind of miniature painting, which has always belonged to the elite arts. Exclusive nature of painting, enamel and enamel miniatures is due, on the one hand, to the high art of painting on enamel by artist, and on the other hand to an extremely difficult and time-consuming process of manufacture.

Miniatures on enamel to a much lesser extent than other types of works of art, are subject to ravages of time, so the author’s intent is conveyed in its entirety. In the design of souvenir applies characteristic enamel-painting technique: filigree – delicate and graceful in drawing ornament made ​​of twisted wire scan resembling lace. The basis of the filigree is a copper plate, which is cut to size and shape of the future work of enamel, painting.

Miniature enamel icons made by Rostov finift masters are distributed all around Russia and abroad. Painted miniature plates decorate covers of gospel books, holy vessels, and head-gears of priests. Works by old finift masters can be seen in the Rostov Kremlin museum storage.

From the second half of the 19th century Rostov masters made enamels for private customers also. These were portraits and replicas of famous foreign paintings. The year 1900 saw the opening of a Rostov finift’ school that launched painting on enamel of jewelry.

Rostov Finift Factory opened in 1960, has grown into a large-scale enterprise, with its production having the call in the international market.

Russian finift icons

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