Community / New exhibition explores links with Russia
A COLLECTION of colourful Skovi Kapps which highlight Shetland’s trading and maritime links with Russia during the 19th century is now on display for the first time at the Shetland Museum.
The display features a group of exotic wooden household items known as Baltic ware, Khokhloma ware or Skovi kapps in Shetland.
Skovi is from Muscovy, the region in Russia where they were produced and kapp is Shetland dialect for bowl.
From the Russian folk-art tradition each piece is painted with plant motifs using a vibrant mixture of red, gold and black paint.
These distinctive wooden bowls and utensils were brought back to Shetland by seafarers working in the Baltic fishing and timber trade during the 19th century.
The museum’s curator of collections Jenny Murray, who created the exhibition, said: “This is the first time the museum has shown its collection of Skovi kapps together in a new focus display in partnership with Orkney Museum who recently borrowed some of our Baltic ware for their display last year.
“Volunteer at Orkney Museum, Ali Turner-Rugg, researched this shared element of our shared maritime heritage to produce the panels showing now in Shetland Museum.
“This new exhibition is a continuation of our shared project ‘New Connections Across the Northern Isles’ with PhD candidate Cait McCullagh. We co-curated museum exhibitions and a virtual museum highlighting our maritime heritage.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.