PRODUCTION ACTIVITY JEWELLERY ARTELS OF THE UPPER VOLGA REGION DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

In: Vestnik of Kostroma State University, Heft 2, S. 120-125

Abstract

The activity of jewellery and art artels during the War is almost not covered in Soviet historiography because of the specifi cs of this industry. The proposed article analyses the change in the composition of jewellery artels of the Upper Volga region in the period of 1941-1945. The contribution of cooperatives to the supply of clothing to the Red Army is examined. Particular attention is paid to providing civilians with such specifi c goods as jewellery and art products. To study this issue, little-studied archival sources were used; some of them were declassifi ed only recently. In general, the products of jewellery
cooperatives of the Upper Volga region during World War II can be divided into several groups: 1. Items that continued the tradition of local art crafts: jewellery and art products (earrings, brooches, cigarette cases, decoration buttons, etc.) 2. Metal haberdashery: metal dishes, metal pads on bags and briefcases, etc. 3. Military products: insignia and buttons for military uniforms, parts for gas masks and parachutes, medical equipment.