Back of photo 1938 "Bubruska"?

[Billyblue]

I don't think that is a handkerchief in her right hand.
Folds are too big - a girl's handkerchief would be light and dainty, for a photo especially.
Plus the filmy 'article' down over her knee (see the line of its boundary) is probably the other end of what is possibly a scarf.  If the book is a prayerbook as it looks like, then maybe this was a photo after some religious 'ceremony' when she wore the scarf as a head-covering

Dawn M

[Billyblue]

Forgot to add:  Confirmation, perhaps?

Also, I can only get Babushka out of that word.

Dawn M

[Ruskie]

I don't think that is a handkerchief in her right hand.
Folds are too big - a girl's handkerchief would be light and dainty, for a photo especially.
Plus the filmy 'article' down over her knee (see the line of its boundary) is probably the other end of what is possibly a scarf.  If the book is a prayerbook as it looks like, then maybe this was a photo after some religious 'ceremony' when she wore the scarf as a head-covering

Dawn M

Ah yes, I see that now Dawn - it is a scarf. I thought the seam across her knee was part of her dress.

I did wonder if it may be a 'confirmation' photo too. 

[youngtug]

If it is a headscarf then this is another pointer to Russian influence, Russian orthodox church would require the covering of the hair in church.

[shanreagh]

Not just Russian Orthodox. When I was confirmed in Anglican church we had a short veil.  I wonder if this several copies of the photo might have been printed and the proud mother of the girl may have written that this one was to go to Babushka. The writing looks older to me than someone writing on it much later.

Babushka is not necessarily just grandmother but usually used as a mark of respect to an older but related family member or family friend. In my experience it is usually followed by the christian name.  My mother was a Babushka to her grandchildren and she was called Babushka XXXXX (christian name) her sister, the children's great aunt, was called Babushka and her christian name.  An older cousin was also called Babushka plus her christian name. 

[Mike in Cumbria]

She also seems to be showing off the plain bangle on her left arm.

Something like a confirmation ceremony?  She's certainly dressed for a very special occasion.

Babushka (maybe with a spelling variation) seems quite likely to me.

[seemex]

Thanks again to all for your input. Like the rest of you, I'm fairly comfortable that the word is Babushka or at least that's what was meant. The writing is indeed different between the name and the date further down so could have been done at differnt times, but the style of the furnishings, and clothing seems to me to indicate, the year 1938 was not that far out for when the photo was taken. "Babushka" being used as a general term of respect, I wasn't aware of but certainly could be. As I mentioned some of my family was born in Asia and a few married Russian women, so there's definitely a possibly of some Russian connection.

[kmccormi]

I don't know if this will help or not, but when I brightened up the image I was surprised to find that the chair has been placed in a peculiar setting. Take a look at the bottom left corner - the chair legs appears to be inside a series of strings/threads attached to some kind of loom.

I thought that those on this board with great historical knowledge might be able to make sense of that, and it would hopefully give you a lead.

Cheers,

Kevin

[DavidG02]

Nice photo. I also think she is no older than 16

Not sure its a loom , you can see it in the top pic also. I am going to say , it looks like an older style couch/lounge/settee that has had the cushions taken off and the chair placed inside the webbing. Why, I don't know, its what I see.