The exhibition displays historical items from the Toy Museum's collection, a collection of toys made by Timofey Zotkin in the post‑war period, and about 70 exhibits created by contemporary folk craft masters (six artists) from the Abashevo Ceramics Society.
"Flame Deer" Kucher I.V.
Abashevo toy is an original clay toy craft that originated in the 19th century in the village of Abashevo near the town of Spassk in the Penza region. In the 19th–20th centuries Abashevo was a leading pottery center in Russia. In the 19th century they primarily made household pottery. But in the first quarter of the 20th century, when factory production of tableware became widespread, the clay toy craft emerged as a separate direction.
Abashevo toy was introduced to the public by the well‑known Soviet actor Nikolai Tseretelli. A descendant of a Bukharan emir, a refined aesthete, actor and director, Nikolai Mikhailovich was an inspired collector of folk crafts. In 1933 he published the book "Russian Peasant Toy", in which he for the first time acquainted Soviet readers with a detailed description of pottery crafts and their vivid originality. Nikolai Mikhailovich assembled a very rich collection of clay toys.
"Hen", "Bull calf", "Little dog", "Hen" Vorozheikin V.A. 5 and 8 cm.
"Rooster with chicks" Anikeeva E.I.
Abashevo toy was more often made by men, which is generally uncharacteristic for toy crafts. In the 20th century the traditional form of Abashevo toy was preserved thanks to the skill of the master Larion Zotkin, who worked in the 1920s; the dynasty of masters continues to this day. Larion Zotkin is the author of many toys that served as a kind of bridge from the traditional forms and decoration of 19th‑century toys to the present day—creator of many interesting pieces: fairy‑tale lions, whimsical dogs, and amusing bears. Zotkin’s work completed the formation of the traditional techniques of modelling and painting in the Abashevo toy craft.
The enterprise "Abashevo Ceramics" was founded in 1959 and for many years has continued to preserve the traditions of the Spassk artistic craft. The microenterprise CJSC "Abashevo Ceramics", established in 1999, is a state‑recognized producer of Abashevo toys.
