Bone carving

At the origins of the bone-cutting industry in Tobolsk were captured Swedes, who at the beginning of the XVIII century carved out of bone caskets and snuffboxes. After the Swedes returned home, the bone-cutting industry faded for many years, and its revival occurred only in the second half of the XIX century, when such enthusiasts as the artist Mikhail Stepanovich Znamensky appeared, who began to make various crafts from bone with a knife and a jigsaw (paper knives, inkwells).

In 1872, Tobolsk surveyor Ivan Oveshkov opened a bone-cutting workshop in the city. At the end of the century, several workshops appeared. In 1893, the "Exemplary Siberian Workshop" by Yu.I. Melgunova was organized. There were periods of prolonged stagnation in the bone-cutting industry, they fell during the difficult period of the World War. It was only in 1929 that a bone-cutting workshop was organized, thanks to the carvers Denisov and Peskov, which in 1932 grew into the artel "Koopexport". This year was considered the year of the formation of the bone-cutting factory.

From the first years of its appearance, the Tobolsk bone-cutting factory participated in all major exhibitions of national and all-Union significance. The works of Tobolsk bone cutters have been shown at international exhibitions (Paris 1937, New York 1939, Brussels 1958, Osaka 1970, USA 1974). The products of Tobolsk craftsmen won honorable fame and recognition. The Brussels exhibition is especially memorable — a diploma and a gold medal.

For many years, Tobolsk bone cutters have been looking for themes for their works, turning to Russian folk tales, epics, works of classics, etc. Since the middle of the twentieth century, the basis of the works has been the northern theme associated with the life and way of life of the peoples of the North. Today, the factory is developing in three main areas: the production of consumer goods, the creation of works of an exhibition nature and the production of souvenirs.

Minsalim Timergazeev is one of the oldest bone carvers in present-day Tobolsk.

He was born in 1950 in the village of Krasny Yar, Yalutorovsky district, Tyumen region. In 1967−1969 he studied at the art studio at the Tobolsk Factory of artistic bone-cutting products under A.I. Metelev and at the advanced training courses at the Abramtsevo College (1977) under A.M. Ferapontova. From 1967 to 1981 he worked at the Tobolsk factory of artistic bone-cutting products, taught at the city children’s art school (1981−1986). In 1983, he was admitted to the Union of Artists of the USSR. In 1991, he founded the Minsalim Art and Industrial artel at the Tobolsk State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve. Participant of city, regional, all-Russian and international exhibitions. In 2020, for his services in the field of culture, contribution to the preservation and development of traditions of folk arts and crafts, Minsalim Valiakhmetovich Timergazeev was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the Tyumen region". By the decision of the Tobolsk City Duma No. 53 dated May 31, 2022, Minsalim Valiakhmetovich Timergazeev was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the city of Tobolsk".

Master Minsalim is the keeper of an ancient craft (he has been engaged in bone carving for more than half a century). For many years, different people have been coming to him: to marvel at the Master’s intricate gizmos, to listen to fascinating stories about ancient times and ancient affairs. About the Siberian customs of the northern peoples, about the khans of the great and the princes of Russia, about the glorious city of Tobolsk, about the shamans of the Ugric and Yamal, about mighty mammoths, about crackling frosts, about sables and white owls.

He was born on March 14, 1932 in the village of Gora in the Kargopolsky district of the Arkhangelsk region, where he received an elementary four-grade education. At school, Gabriel learned to draw and understand drawing. After graduating from a seven-year school in the village of Sura, he entered the Lomonosov Art School of bone carving in the village of Lomonosovo, Kholmogorsky district, where he received the highest, seventh grade of a master carver and was sent to the Siberian city of Tobolsk. In September 1950, a new very young artist appeared in the Tobolsk bone-cutting artel "Koopexport", and since 1951 the countdown of his original author’s works begins. In 1952, he presented his works for the first time at an exhibition in Moscow and immediately became a popular artist.

In 1961, he was admitted to the Union of Artists of the USSR.

In 1970, Gavriil Andreevich Khazov was appointed chief artist of the Tobolsk bone-cutting factory. It was he who had to determine the ways of development of the bone-cutting factory in many ways. Since 1979, he worked as an artist at the Tobolsk Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve.

The works of the master creator reveal the Tyumen North, the spiritual value of folk life and culture. In many of Khazov’s works there are plots from the work of the Siberian poet Pyotr Pavlovich Ershov. Gavriil Andreevich participated in many exhibitions at home and abroad. The artist’s works are in many museums in Russia, in private collections in Russia, America, Canada, and Germany. Honorary citizen of the city of Tobolsk (2007).

He was born on February 10, 1945 in the family of a Khanty hunter in the village of Pitlyar in the Shuryshkarsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug of the Tyumen Region. In 1961, after graduating from school, he entered the veterinary college of Salekhard. But due to financial difficulties in the family, Gennady had to return to his native village, having never received an education. He started working as a carpenter in his native village. According to Gennady himself, he began to draw and sculpt various figures in his youth. He served in the ranks of the Soviet Army. In the army, Gennady did not give up his hobby — wood carving. At the request of his colleagues, he carved figurines of girls, ashtrays in the form of animals. Since 1978, Gennady Khartaganov has worked as a methodologist in the Shuryshkarsky district department of culture. The talented woodcarver Khartaganov had his own unique style of woodcarving. If you look at the figure, you will immediately understand that it was carved by Khartaganov. He loved to carve partridges and arctic foxes hunting them, humans and white owls.

The basis of his life and work was his native village of Pitlyar. Here the artist organized a children’s school of decorative and applied art. Khartaganov worked, created wonderful sculptures and passed on his knowledge, skills and experience to his students. In 1990, he was admitted to the Union of Artists of the USSR. He participated in many exhibitions in our country and abroad. His works are in many Siberian museums, in private collections in Russia and Canada.