Western Siberian Folk Art: Northern Russian and Ural Traditions in Distaff Decoration

The present study gives an overview of research materials from expeditions conducted during the period 1977–2010, containing regional and local examples of the folk art of the Russian Siberian population, primarily carved and painted household objects – distaffs. Representing a component of material and spiritual culture, distaffs are viewed within the context of the ethnic and cultural peculiarities of the Russian settlers. As ethnographic materials show, in Siberia the tradition of decorating distaffs developed under the influence of settlers from Northern Russia.