Tobolsk failed to become a
large industrial center of Siberia. Though the history of the town still
preserves a lot of interesting handicraft traditions.
The majority of handicrafts got developed over XVIII century and were
traditional for many regions in Russia. They were targeted first and
foremost at meeting primitive everyday demands of the people, i.e.
manufacturing agricultural tools, and hunting items.
The first large industry in Siberia was a Tobolsk armoury that was
opened in connection with the reforms of Peter I. Experts from Tula,
Suzdal and other famous armoury centers were invited to Tobolsk in 1701.
The products manufactured at the armouries were delivered to the Russian
regiments fighting against the Swedish army. Preserved samples of guns
manufactured in Tobolsk are characterized not by a high quality alone,
but by the unique ornamental decoration.
In 1749 in the village
Verkhije Aremzjany near Tobolsk one of the first glass factories in
Siberia was built. It was owned by the merchant family of Korniljevs.
Initially about 200 serfs and exiles worked at the factory. Varied
products out of green glass, i.e. bottles of different sizes, became a
basis for production. They were in great demand in household maintenance.
Later products out of white and coloured glass were manufactured, that
were of undoubted artistic merits.
