Bark of birch trees has always been popular in Russia for making utensils, footwear (known as lapti) and jewelry.
   

    These beautifully intricate works are made by layering a very thin veneer of birch bark onto a dark and thicker wood form. The pattern is transferred to the birch layer then the artisan carefully carves out the background of the design to reveal the dark wood below. The patterns and the final look to the work is very similar to stencil painting. The birch areas are left smooth or may contain a very fine amount of detailing. The background wood is deeply ridged, giving it a texture in contrast to the plain birch bark. Pine and cedar are the common woods used as the background support.

    This art form began nearly two thousand years ago and is still a valued craft today.  Because of the natural properties of the bark, this wood can be worked in a similar manner to leather.  It is easily molded into shapes making it ideal for round and oval boxes and containers. Common carving themes for Russian Birch Bark are animals, birds, wild flowers, and Russian fairy tales.