Carved Bone in Tobolsk 

Carved bone products present miniature sculptures made out of bones or tusks of mammoth, bison, deer, or out of cachalot teeth processed under a specific technology. Through the language of plastic the miniatures present scenes of everyday life of indigenous people. Bone carving goes deeper into ancient times. The first samples discovered by archaeologists can be dated to the Stone age. Initially it were indigenous peoples from the North khanty, mansy, and nentsy who got started bone carving. They made first and foremost cult items – amulets, decorations for clothes, and hunting weapons. First samples of bone carving in Russia were dated to the Xth century. In Russia first carving centers were formed in coastal areas. Carving reached its fullest flower at the end of the XVII- the beginning of the XVIIIth centuries in Arkhangelsk.

Tobolsk carving as a unique and recognized handicraft had formed by the middle of the XIXth century. By that time co-operatives of carver had been organized. ‘Deep penetration into everyday life is characteristic for Tobolsk carving. Surely, carvers had a capability for a generalized plastic vision, and would only model the essentials, while in surface elaboration they tried to convey tangibility of physical nature and went deeper in detail. They appreciated the material structure as it was, its glacial surface associated to perennial frost. Carving is still being developed in Tobolsk. The second half of the XXth century demonstrated expanding of visualizing range of carving. Some carvers would go beyond the limits of traditional handicraft, and create integrated compositions combined with other plastic materials, or would appeal for non-conventional topics.