It is known that St. Nicholas of Myra, a Turkish bishop, who became the patron Saint of Moscow, is a prototype of almost all Santa Clauses. The legend says that Prince Vladimir, who reigned in Kiev Rus in the 11th century, went to Constantinople to be baptized and came back with a number of stories about miracles performed by this Saint, who was also known for his kindness and his exceptional love for children. Since then many Eastern Orthodox Churches are named for this great Saint. In Russia December 19th marks the Feast Day of St. Nicholas of Myra. In Russia St. Nicholas is the most loved Saint whom Russians ask for protection and relief of all the hardships.
Due to the suppression of many religious and folk traditions during the Soviet regime, St. Nicholas was replaced by Grandfather Frost (Russian pronunciation is Ded Moroz), Christmas trees were replaced with "New Year's" trees, let alone religious celebrations, because Russian people re-invented the New Year's holiday tradition to include a decorated tree and introduce a character known as Ded Moroz. Actually Ded Moroz was a character that existed in the pagan culture centuries earlier.
Grandfather Frost looked very much like the Western "Santa Claus" or "Pere Noel". The legend has it as if Grandfather Frost lives deeply in the Northern woods and every year on December 31, comes to town in his sleigh. He has a Granddaughter named Snegourochka, the snow-maiden, who looks after him and helps to pack New Year gifts for kids. On a New Year's Eve Grandfather Frost visits every house when children are deeply asleep and puts gifts under each New Year's tree where children find them the next morning. Children wait for him impatiently; Ded Moroz is personification of kindness and generosity.
That is why Russian Santa is a frequently used figure for statuesque woodcarving. It is inherent in all-round view, it means that all surface is processed in such a way that this wooden sculpture may be viewed from any point, at the same time presenting to a looker the equally thorough processed details and the whole surface in an attractive way, and this requires the great mastery. Themes of wooden figures are more often the Russian folk fairytales and legends. Of great success are the figures of Russian Santa Claus made applying a patterned surface carving.
Volumetrically statuesque carving was practiced on a large scale from the 11th - 13th centuries. Since the 17th century became known wooden toy figures that were sold at the walls of Troitse-Serghiev Monastery under Moscow (town of Sergiev Posad). According to the historical documents, it is known that they were bought there for little Peter the First. The carved wooden toys production was widely spread in this region.
Manufacture of carved wooden artistic figures exists today in Arkhanghelsk, Vologda, Kalinin, Nizhniy Novgorod, Moscow regions, Bashkortostan and Karelia, and also in other areas of Russian Federation.
For carved figures making the best wood are a lime-tree, asp and alder. Lime is especially good for this purpose as its wood is pliant, texture and color homogenous and is well suitable to sculpture processing. Santa Claus dolls are covered with glitter and lacquer to preserve their bright and beautiful coloring for years. Their coats have festive patterns, sometimes looking like a small painting. Most of Santa Claus figures are signed by an artist that makes them wonderful collectibles.
What makes Christmas so special? May be glorious past, may be pure wishes and hopes, but for sure - a unique Christmas gift and warm words. This wonderful time requires an advance preparation, for example buying a collectible hand-carved and hand-painted Russian Santa Claus figurines and Christmas ornaments. Make such a refined and memorable gift to your near and dear and they will appraise your attention at its true value.
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