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The tale of "General Toptyigin" enjoys the status of a Russian folk
legend. It was inspired by Nekrasov, who was watching children at play. The story goes that one
evening, the General and his Adjutant, who happened to be a
fully-grown Russian Bear, together are forced to abruptly stop and seek shelter at a village inn because of
inclement weather. Unfortunately, it is quickly determined there simply isn't room for the both of them, so
the Bear-Adjutant bunks in the stable with the horses. Miffed by this
slight, and not one to pass up an opportunity to bedevil the
perpetrators of this inconvenience, the Bear takes to the troika and rides about the village avenues all
night creating a frightful stir and howl. The carving is the work of
a merited Bogorodsk master. It is carved with firm and authoritative strokes. The sleigh is enhanced with a
Russian decorative motif. The Bear's mouth is open, as if emitting a
mighty roar.
The system of a troika is that the center horse holds to a straight line while the two opposite
pulling horses generate the high speeds typical of a well-balanced
troika. In this piece, the reins are made from genuine leather.
From Bogorodsk, Moscow region.
Not dated but circa 1980s. Limewood carving. 15" long x 9" tall. 10" at widest point, and 5" at its
narrowest. Sorry, sold. More views
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