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Striking late-Soviet Russian hand-painted wooden bird-form kovsh, manufactured in 1990 by the Lipetskie Uzory (“Lipetsk Patterns”) factory in Lipetsk, RSFSR, USSR.
The original factory paper label remains attached underneath and identifies the piece by its named model: КОВШ — Kovsh “Glukhar,” meaning capercaillie or wood grouse.
This large sculptural vessel features a rounded central bowl with an elongated bird neck and head at one end and a dramatic fan-shaped tail at the other. The deep burgundy-red ground is covered with elaborate hand-painted floral decoration in yellow, gold, orange, black, green, cream, and white, with a glossy lacquered finish and metallic gold-colored interior.
Although visually related to the broader Khokhloma tradition, this piece is more accurately identified as Lipetsk decorative wood painting. The Lipetskie Uzory factory developed its own regional style after craftsmen from the Semenov/Khokhloma tradition helped establish the Lipetsk workshop in the early 1970s. Lipetsk painting became known for its expanded color palette, large stylized flowers, birds, animals, and richly decorative compositions.
The surviving factory label is particularly valuable for identification and confirms the model name, factory, dimensions, technical specification, original Soviet retail price, and 1990 production year.
Specifics:
• Factory: / Lipetskie Uzory
• Location: Lipetsk, RSFSR, USSR
• Production year: 1990
• Model: КОВШ dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">• English: Kovsh “Glukhar” / Capercaillie / Wood Grouse
• Late Soviet decorative folk art
• Hand-painted and lacquered wood
• Likely turned wooden bowl with separately shaped bird elements
• Deep burgundy-red ground
• Gold-colored interior
• Multicolor floral and bird decoration
• Approx. factory dimensions: 270 × 300 × 150 mm
• Approx. 10.6" × 11.8" × 5.9"
• Original factory paper label remains attached
• Label includes technical specification TU 78.00.30-86
• Original printed Soviet retail price approximately 140 rubles
• Standalone kovsh; no evidence that this model originally included additional ladles or cups
• No individual artist attribution is being claimed
Condition:
Excellent vintage condition overall for a 1990 Soviet decorative wooden piece. Lacquer remains glossy and vibrant with strong color and attractive presentation. Painted decoration is exceptionally well preserved with no obvious major cracks, structural breaks, or significant areas of paint loss visible in the photographs. Interior remains bright and clean with light age-related surface wear. Minor scuffs, small marks, and normal signs of age may be present upon close inspection. Original factory paper label remains attached underneath and shows expected age, stamps, handwriting/overstamping, and paper wear. Please review all photographs closely for exact condition.
A wonderfully over-the-top survivor from the final years of the USSR — part folk-art vessel, part floral explosion, and approximately 100% magnificent Soviet bird.
Keywords:
Lipetskie Uzory, Lipetsk Patterns, USSR folk art, Soviet folk art, Russian folk art, 1990 USSR, Soviet wooden kovsh, Glukhar kovsh, capercaillie, wood grouse, bird kovsh, Russian painted wood, Lipetsk painting, Khokhloma style, Soviet decor, Russian lacquer wood, hand painted bird, USSR collectible, Russian decorative art
