What did the carvers do in pre-revolutionary Russia, and why did the peasant women give them their hair

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The word carver, according to the explanatory dictionary, is a person who is engaged in wood carving or simply cuts something. And in pre-revolutionary Russia, this word was used to describe people who had nothing to do with such activities. They tirelessly traveled across the vast country and bought hair from peasant women. And then luxurious braids found special use. Read where the purchased hair went later, what they did in stupid workshops and how wigs protected soldiers during the war.

Dumb workshops that worked for the fashionistas

Peasant women often had light brown hair. They were very well suited for dyeing and for making hairpieces, hair extensions and wigs. In the old days, these accessories adorned the heads of not only women, but also men. The first mention of masters, then of professionals in the manufacture of wigs, dates back to the end of the 18th century in Russia. In order not to buy expensive products in Europe and become independent in this area, it was decided to open as many stupid workshops as possible and hire talented people, most often serfs. Where did this strange name come from? From the word "dumb", which used to mean nothing more than a fluffy forelock of hair.

The bald Louis 14, from whom the fashion for wigs and false German hair came

It is believed that the fashion for wigs arose during the reign of Peter I, who brought these accessories to Russia. Nevertheless, according to historians, it turns out that even in the middle of the 18th century, there were people among the Russian nobility who happily wore false hair. This was the era when King Louis XIV was the trendsetter in Europe. He bald early and escaped with a wig. And later he introduced artificial hair into the costume of the nobility. Wigs have become incredibly popular.

Arseny Bogatyryov, a historian who wrote a work on the influence of the West on Russia in the 17-18 centuries, notes that wigs were found in Russia even before 1665 (this year was marked by the creation of the Guild of Computers in Moscow, whose duties included the export of hair). According to Bogatyrev, wigs existed in Russia even before Peter, they simply called such an accessory "false hair". Another historian, Iskra Schwartz, wrote that mentions of these very false hairs were found in archival documents, and the record dates back to 1655. It says that the steward of Princess Maria Ilyinichna asked Austrian diplomats whether they had any goods for sale.

In response, he was offered fake German hair as a gift. This name was worn not only by the name of the country where they were made, but also because they had a light color. At that time, this accessory was not yet so fashionable, and the acquired hair was used to make theatrical props.

Peter I, who wore a wig instead of a hat

Peter I was the author of many innovations that reflected his orientation towards Europe. This also applies to wigs. Peter forced the aristocracy to shave off their beards and dress in Western costumes, as well as use false hair. Fashion took root quickly enough, except for the clergy, no one was particularly opposed. Women liked wigs, and men wore them with pleasure. Peter also had a wig, it was made from his own hair, and the model was not too long. The king had his own hair of sufficient length, so it came to the wig in extreme cold - he used it as a headdress.

How soldiers' wigs protected from wounds and lice

Peter made it compulsory to wear wigs for those serving in the army. Several goals were pursued here - aesthetic, but even more protective. The lining of the accessory was made of dense fabric, and the hair was very starchy. Therefore, it was believed that the soldier's head was protected from being pricked by a sword. If you add a cocked hat to a powdered wig, you get a kind of helmet that could withstand even a saber. With the help of wigs, they also fought against lice, which bothered people very much.

The soldiers were shaved and their wigs were disinfected by boiling several times a week. However, if representatives of the lower ranks silently tolerated an accessory that they did not like, then the officers did their best to avoid wearing wigs. They grew their hair, did a perm, and powdered their hair. Wigs in the army were canceled by Catherine II, a hard bronze helmet returned.

The carvers who met the demand for natural hair for the high society

So, the military opposed the wearing of wigs, but in secular society it was the other way around: those who like to show off welcomed false curls and curls, tails and curls, hairpieces and braids. Fashionistas showed off their expensive wigs to each other. At first, the accessory was ordered abroad, it was expensive and not too fast. Therefore, domestic workshops were becoming more widespread. Hairdressing salons began to emerge, in which one could fully experience the Parisian chic. They were staffed by specialists from France and Russians, who became French.

Vladimir Gilyarovsky believed that after serfdom was abolished, the hairdressing art began to develop by leaps and bounds. Many former serfs became well-known practitioners and hairdressers. If you look closely, the word "hairdresser" in the original language is not at all the one who cuts the hair, but the master who makes the wigs. Consumer demand for masterpieces of art was constantly growing. Hairdressers had to work hard to satisfy everyone. This is where the carvers came to the rescue. Specially hired people traveled to remote villages and bought thick long braids from peasant women. For almost nothing, women parted with their wealth - for a scarf or inexpensive earrings, beads or ribbons. After that, the hair went to stupid workshops, where they made expensive wigs for aristocrats.

Wigs are still used today by many people, including celebrities. For example, the luxurious hair of these actors is not quite real.