Galina KISHCHUK. Deer with kalach.
2004. Chees, artistic molding, paintings.
Chees toys drying shelf.
HUTSULY AREA CHEESE PLASTICS
This is a research work of the senior scientific employee of the Folk Architecture and Family Life Museum of the NAS of Ukraine Romana Kobalchynska about a specific trade of the area - cheese toy. Even nowadays this trade still exists in Kosivskyi, Verkhovynskyi regions in Ivano-Frankivsk area and partially in Zakarpattia. These items are known here since late XIXth century and their appearance is associated with implementation of the distance pasture sheep breeding. One can also see them in mountainous districts in Poland, Slovak Republic, Hungary and Romania. But Hutsuly masters' sculptures are different - they are smooth, don't imitate feathers or wool as the identical items of the neighbors. The author of the article analyses details in the ways of cheese toys' production and their peculiarities in definite villages, on the eve of Easter, Green Holidays or other rites. She introduces us the masters who save folk traditions. During the expeditions Romana Kobalchynska gathered a big collection of sculptures (kolomyiky "polonynka") that prove the importance of cheese plastics in Hutsul's life. The author offers the readers two samples that express the area's spirit and odor.
