Avvakumov Andrey
Andrey Avvakumov
Andrey Avvakumov is a Russian jeweler, accomplished woodcarver, and master of artistic casting, known among knifemakers for his whimsical lanyard beads and custom work on production folding knives. His creations are held in private collections in Russia and abroad and are also part of the collection of the Armoury Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin.
Аvvakumov was born in Moscow in 1967. After completing his professional training, he began working as an artist and woodcarver at Sofrino, an enterprise located in the settlement of the same name and owned by the Russian Orthodox Church. Its products reflect its religious purpose: icons, icon cases, church vessels, iconostases, chandeliers, church doors, and other objects associated with Orthodox culture.
Sofrino proved to be an excellent school for the young artist, giving him the technical resources and practical experience he needed to hone his skills as a carver. Avvakumov worked there for eleven years, from 1991 to 2002. During this time, he developed a deep knowledge of Orthodox theology and became fascinated by the history of Christianity. Religious imagery remains a source of inspiration for the artist to this day, although he now interprets it in secular and philosophical rather than strictly canonical forms. Angels adorn his pendants; Saint Barbara sits over a manuscript on a decorative plaque; and an endless Tower of Babel winds across the handle of a customized Spyderco folder.
A major milestone in Avvakumov's professional development was his collaboration with the Kavida workshop. The manufactory specializes in artistic casting — the very craft that would go on to make Avvakumov famous. He created numerous works for Kavida, including a remarkable series of plaques reproducing celebrated masterpieces: paintings by Dürer, illustrations by Ivan Bilibin, Arcimboldo's caricatural compositions, and Escher's impossible staircases.
The Dutch master appears in Avvakumov's work in more than just decorative plaques. One of his finest functional pieces is the “Fish” belt buckle, inspired by a work by M. C. Escher. A belt featuring this buckle is available to order from our store.
Avvakumov draws inspiration not only from existing imagery. He has an extraordinary gift for observation and a particularly keen ability to capture and convey the character of plants. Like many artists, he has created his share of portraits of garden flowers: chrysanthemums, lotuses, irises, and lupins feature prominently in his brooches. Yet he is especially adept at revealing the beauty of the most unassuming members of the plant world. His decorative panel “Dandelion”, “Chanterelles” brooch, “Lilac Sprout” tsuba, “Artichoke” thimble, “Pine Cone” buckle, “Poppies” ring, and “Thistle” lanyard bead all seem to capture something essential about their subjects.
Avvakumov also has his share of animal subjects, but unlike his plants, his creatures are not realistic. They belong to the realm of fairy tales. Even predators are portrayed not with solemn ferocity, but with a gentle sense of humor. The octopus on the “Octopus” bead, the “Snowy Owl” thimble, the “Little Dragon” figurine, the “Lizard” buckle, and the “Cat” signet ring all look as though they have stepped straight out of the pages of a children's storybook.
The artist's favorite materials are silver and brass. Semi-precious stones appear only rarely in Avvakumov's work and are usually reserved for his rings. Selective blackening combined with mirror polishing gives his pieces an especially pronounced sense of relief and depth.
The Maria Stalina Knives online-store is delighted to present some of the finest works by this Moscow master. Our website offers exquisitely crafted belt buckles cast personally by Avvakumov. And, of course, you will also find his wonderfully whimsical lanyard beads in our collection.
The work of this Russian maestro has found admirers far beyond his homeland. Knifemaking enthusiasts and collectors of distinctive accessories from around the world are eager to acquire his creations. If an eagle-eyed collector got there first and snatched an Avvakumov masterpiece right from under your nose, get in touch with us. Our manager will arrange a pre-order, contact the artist personally, and let you know as soon as possible when Andrey Avvakumov will be able to create your own custom piece.
