On April 25, four stamps dedicated to the felt carpet making of the North Caucasus were put into postal circulation in the Decorative and Applied Arts of Russia series

   

   

Felt craft is a very ancient art. For centuries, Caucasian peoples have been famous for their exquisite patterned carpets, which were used to winterize and decorate homes. Their making is a painstaking and labor-intensive process, and it was carried out exclusively by women.

The ancient Ingush art of felts making, as well as in a narrow sense a traditional one-piece carpet with sewed-on national ornaments are referred to isting. Every girl studies this skill from her early youth. Most often, she prepares felt carpets for herself as a dowry or as valuable gifts. The most popular carpets in Dagestan - arbabashs - are made of two or more felts dyed in different colors. The pattern on such products is mostly vegetal, with smooth outlines. An important place in the folk daily life of the Balkars belongs to Ala-kiyiz felt carpets, symbolizing the way of life of bygone eras. In earlier times, they were used in many rituals and as a decoration of houses. In North Ossetia, unique woolen items were at one time made in every home for all family members. The skills were passed on from the older generation to the younger one, but as time went on, the secrets of the craft were lost. At present, connoisseurs of folk art are working on preserving the national culture, restoring the ancient craft; felting schools are being opened, and master classes are being held for all those interested.

The postage stamps feature fragments of patterns from national felt carpets of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Republic of Dagestan, the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, and the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania.

In addition to the issue of the postage stamps, JSC Marka produced First Day Covers and special cancels for Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladikavkaz, Magas, Makhachkala, Nalchik and Ryazan; as well as an illustrated cover with blocks of four, a label and First Day Covers with cancels for Vladikavkaz, Magas, Makhachkala, and Nalchik inside.


Design Artist: Kh. Betredinova.
Face value: 20 rubles.
Stamp size: 50×50×70 mm, sheet size: 80×80 mm.
Emission form: sheets with 4 (2×2) stamps.
Quantity: 30 thousand each block of four.

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