It is well known that the flax plant that produces the fibers used in the weaving of linen cloth grew extensively in the Mediterranean basin and was used as far back as the time of the Pharaohs of Egypt for clothing. Not as well known is that the plant also flourishes in Russia, and linen made in Russia is considered to be the finest in the world. The Russian linen was traditionally hand embroidered with color images. Many of these images were of a religious nature or had a symbolic meaning. The meanings of many of the images are lost now, but artisans continue to use them. They have often been handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years.

At a time when linen production is declining almost everywhere, Russia has been steadily increasing its output. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to many entrepreneurs beginning ventures into linen production, and the export of gaily embroidered Russian Linen pieces such as shirts, bedding, and table clothes is also on the rise.

Another popular use for Russian Linen is high grade linen canvases used by artists. It is considered by many to be the best canvas material available anywhere in the world and often expensive and in short supply

There is some evidence that linen was one of the first items traded between America and Russia. There seems to have been a black market exchange between Russia and Boston prior to the Revolution, and high grade Russian linen was one of the major commodities used in this trade.

Russian linen is extremely durable as is most linen, and is especially noted for its “breathing” quality particularly when it is not hot ironed. This has accounted for its popularity in work clothing in Russia, but even the common peasants shirts were usually decorated with the colorful embroidery that is the trademark of fine Russian linen.