Khokhloma (also Hohloma, Russian: хохлома; Russian pronunciation: [xəxɫɐˈma]) or Khokhloma painting (хохломская роспись, hohlomskaya rospis) is a style of Russian art traditionally painted on wooden household items. It is known for its curved linear features depicting vivid small flowers, berries, grasses, and leaf motifs. The Firebird, a common and popular figure from the Russian fairytales is often featured as the main subject matter.
The style is named after the village of Khokhloma (56.973°N 43.902°E) in Koverninsky District, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Volga region, where it first appeared in the second half of the 17th century. This region is known for wood crafts ranging from small household goods to carvings on gables and gates in the traditional peasant cottages. The abundance of timber made for prolific and notable woodcarving traditions emerge throughout the centuries.[1] Alongside Khokhloma, there are other wood painting styles and traditions as well as birch wood carvings throughout the Volga region.[2]