Korosten’s Hutsul figures

Russia 1970, brand Korosten, material ceramic, cm boy base 8x8,5 height 13, girl base 9x6 height 11,5

This charming pair of porcelain figurines, crafted by the renowned Korosten porcelain factory, brings to life the vibrant traditions of the Hutsuls—an East Slavic ethnic group native to the Carpathian Mountains in western Ukraine.

Dressed in brilliantly painted blue and orange garments against a crisp white glaze, the boy and girl figures capture the spirit of Hutsul life, known for its colorful attire, pastoral customs, and rich folkloric heritage. These fine glazed porcelain pieces are delicately hand-painted, showcasing the high-quality craftsmanship that defined Korosten.

Founded in the early 1900s by T. K. Przybylski, the Korosten factory initially produced white porcelain that was decorated elsewhere, later specializing in high-quality decorative pieces.
During the Soviet era, it enjoyed its golden age, employing artists such as Valentina Tregubova and many others, producing figurines featuring Ukrainian folk subjects: dancers, musicians, and craftsmen.

The blue mark (with the words "Made in USSR") was used by the Korosten brand between the 1960s and 1990s, first for the domestic market and then for export.

A Cultural Footnote:
The Hutsul culture also inspired one of Ukraine’s most iconic films: Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965), directed by Sergei Parajanov and based on Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky’s novel.
This haunting film is full of deeply moving imagery and gives a detailed portrayal of Ukrainian culture in the Carpathians. It was Parajanov’s first major work and earned him international acclaim. To this day it is remembered as an art house favorite as well as one of the relatively few Soviet movies to be produced in Ukrainian.

CE-07-0004 - available