RUSSIAN LACQUER BOXES THE STORY OF RUSSIAN LACQUER MINIATURE PAINTING There are few art lovers who have not heard of Palekh. Its art has been called "a small miracle." Lacquered miniatures, as bright as the feathers of the legendary Firebird, originate here, taking the inspired poetic art of the wondrous village and its magnificent artists and craftsmen to the far corners of the world. Palekh is an unusual village, a bit of ancient Russia, in which the past and the present coexist. Log houses with intricately carved lattices stand opposite modern brick buildings. There are street pumps, and the crowing of roosters can be heard above whatever traffic there is. Each house stands among poplars, acacias, and rowan trees. Here the soft hues of the Russian countryside are both a part of every- day village life and an endless source of inspiration for the artists. Icons found in old Russian churches attest to the glory of the painters of Palekh, who were famed for their Icon painting in ancient times. The secrets of the craft were handed down from father to son. After 1918, the demand for Icons stopped and the artists turned their efforts towards the making of miniature boxes, jewelry, panels, etc. based on the rich Russian folk - lore, fairy-tales, folksongs and dances, legends and chronicles from ancient times, and stories from the imaginative giants of Russian literature such as Alexander Pushkin, the latter to be also the basis for many of the Operas and Ballets which we enjoy today. The boxes come not only from Palekh, but also from three other villages-Mstera, Fedoskino and Kholui - each with its own unique and individual style and interpretation of the various subjects. Fedoskino is noted for the way its artists achieve a wondrously luminous quality on snow, dancers' costumes and flowers by the use of overlays of transparent colors. The designs are handpainted on a specially treated papier mache. The basic boxes themselves are a feat of technical skill and are beautiful before a single stroke of design is applied. The colors are oriental in inspiration - rich oranges, reds and yellows, brilliant blues and opulent golds-on backgrounds of jet black or red. The production is necessarily limited, but each box is surely worth waiting for. No two, even if on the same subject, are ever exactly alike. For example, in the "Coq D'Or" series, one box will show the presentation of the Golden Cockerel to King Dodon by the Sorcerer, another may show Dodon and his courtiers, still another will show King Dodon in his sumptuous bedroom with oriental rugs and draperies painted in beautiful detail, while a fourth depicts the appearance of Queen Shemakha outside her tent. Whether a box shows a lovely Victorian bouquet of flowers or deals with ordinary peasant life, a fairy tale, or an ancient legend, each one is a signed original and a collector's item of heirloom quality. | ||
| #380299 | Book "FEDOSKINO" - Moscow, Izobrazitelnoe Iskusstvo Publishers, 1984, This beautiful album focuses on highly original art in Russia an Fedoskino school in particular of miniature painting on lacquered papier-mache boxes with 176 exquisite full-color plates in Russian and English translation in back. The book is in mint condition, but the outside jacket is riped.
[picture] | buy it
$40.00 |
PALEKH DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE LEGENDS AND STORIES PAINTED
COQlD'OR (THE GOLDEN COCKEREL): An opera by Rimsky-Korsakov was based on this story by Alexander Pushkin. The Golden Cockerel is given to King Dodon by his Astrologer when the King is beset by troubles surrounding his Kingdom. The Cockerel has a gift of prophecy and is thus able to warn the King whenever his enemies approach. The Cockerel saves the King from disaster many times by his warning crows and the Kingdom prospers as a result. The King meets the beautiful Queen Shemakha and his happiness is complete. However, when the Astrologer demands payment for the Cockerel, King Dodon kills him. The King is then killed by the avenging Golden Cockerel. THE FIREBIRD: An ancient fairy tale, upon which is based the magnificent ballet by Igor Stravinsky. The young hero, Prince Ivan, crosses mountains and fields to find the magic forest in which the legendary Firebird lives. His aim is to obtain a feather from the Firebird, by means of which he can lift the spell which has been placed on his Beloved. The boxes show the weaving exotic ferns and brightly colored shrubs and bushes in the magic forest, as well as the exquisitely delineated folds of the hero's clothes. The fabulous Firebird symbolizes freedom and joy. THE SNOWMAIDEN: An old folk tale. Rimsky-Korsakov wrote an opera based on this "Legend of Springtime." The setting is the land of Berendeys in prehistoric times. The Snowmaiden, daughter of Spring and Frost, wants to live the life of a mortal and is placed in the care of two childless villagers. She is safe from death by the sun's rays only so long as she is innocent of love. She is happy as a mortal and very soon the handsome Mizguir falls in love with her, wooing her with his wondrous flute playing. The Snowmaiden falls in love with him and while she is with Mizguir, the sun touches her and she disappears. RUSLAN AND LUDMILLA: A poem by Pushkin, upon which an opera by Glinka is based. The story starts at the court of Svietosar, where the Grand Duke is entertaining his daughter Ludmilla's three suitors-Ruslan, Ratmir and FarIaf. When the festivities are at their height, Ludmilla mysteriously disappears. Svietosar promises his daughter to the suitor who finds her. Ruslan learns from a Sorcerer that Ludmilla has been abducted by a dwarf, Chernomor. He is also warned about the witch Naina, who is Farlaf's ally. FarIaf, meanwhile, visits the witch for help. Her advice is to allow Ruslan to find Ludmilla and then to kidnap her from Ruslan. The scene changes to a battlefield, where Ruslan kills a breathing Head, under which lies a magic sword. By means of this magic sword, Ruslan is able to overcome all obstacles and win Ludmilla as his bride. PRINCE IGOR: An old Russian chronicle. An opera was written by Borodin based on this legend. In the twelfth century, the Polovitzi a Tartar race of Central Asia capture Prince Igor and his son Vladimir. Khan Kontchak, the Polovetzian leader, assures Prince Igor that he is a guest and not a captive and entertains him with a lavish feast and oriental dances. He offers him his freedom if he is ready to promise not to fight the Polovitzi. Igor cannot do this. He effects his escape and returns to his own people and to his wife Yaroslavna. His son, in love with the Khan's daughter, refuses to flee and is accepted by the Khan as a son-in-law. Other subjects shown on the boxes include well known fairy tales such as "Sleeping Beauty", "The Enchanted Frog-Princess", "The Magic Carpet" and "Vasilisa the Beautiful", also scenes from legends such as "Don Quixote", "Sadko" and "The Prophet Oleg.". The wonders of ancient Byzantine architecture are depicted in all their detailed splendor. The ancient cities and monasteries of Suzdal, Uglich, Rostov and Pokrov make wonderful subjects. In addition, the artists paint scenes from peasant life or landscapes. Many boxes simply show lovely bouquets of spring or summer flowers or various birds or animals. Legendary Russian Troykas are pictured in different ways-on some boxes the horses are shown jogging along the luminescent snow and on others they rear up in a frenzy of mythological splendor. | ||
| #48h2019 | ND, Palekh. Papier-mache octagonal shaped lacquer box titled "Troika" and signed Busov lower right, 198 mm x 110 mm x 40 mm tall
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$250 |
| #280110 | Small Palekh, round, black lacquer box, depicting Sadko playing gusli for a young Sea Maiden coming out of the water, signed "#15138, Palekh, 1970, Kosarev.", with elaborately decorated bottom border. Size: 2.375" in diameter x 0.875" high or 59mm in diameter and 22mm high. Mint condition.
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$250.00 |
| #380301 | Small Palekh rectangular black lacquer box with bombe chest style sides on small legs, depicting winter ride on Troyka. Signed: "Palekh, "Troyka", Serov", with elaborately decorated borders. Most likely an imitation or possibly recent work. Size: 2" x 4.25" x 1.375" high or 105mm x 52mm x 35mm high. Excellent condition, but with very light lacquer cracking on top.
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$50.00 |
| #380302 | Small Palekh hexagonal black lacquer box with bombe chest style sides, depicting a young man catching a firebird, signed: "Palekh, Firebird, P.O.M" with decorated borders. Most likely an imitation or possibly recent work. Size: 3.25" x 4" x 1.5" high or 95mm x 80mm x 35mm high. Lightly crackled lacquer on top, otherwise excellent condition.
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$40.00 |
| #280111 | Medium Palekh black lacquer box with elaborately decorated bottom border, depicting a horseman with a spear at a crossroad by the tree. Signed: "#13033, Palekh, Lapina F. 1974" . Size: 5" x 5" x 2" high or 125mm x 125mm x 43mm high, near mint condition.
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$250.00 |
| #340423 | Small Palekh "Persian Casket" style black lacquer box with bombe chest style sides, and elaborately decorated borders and details, depicting 5 scenes of Pushkin's Fairy Tales. Signed: "Palekh, "Pushkin's Fairy Tales", Zheglev" Size: 2.5" x 1.5" x 3" high or 60 mm x 40 mm and 75 mm high. Very rare and unusual form of boxes. Light Opera Gallery in San Francisco in late 80-ies used to sell them for $2,500 to $4,500. Mint condition.
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$1,000.00 |
| #340424 | Small Palekh "Persian Casket" style black lacquer box with elaborately decorated borders and details on 4 small legs, depicting 5 scenes of various Russian Fairy Tales, signed "Palekh, art(ist) Zuov". Size: 1.75" x 1.75" 2.25" high, or 47 mm x 47 mm and 65 mm high. Very rare and unusual form of boxes. Light Opera Gallery in San Francisco in late 80-ies used to sell them for $2,500 to $4,500. Light crackling of the glaze.
[picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] | buy it
$500.00 |
| #340425 | Small Palekh red lacquer box with bowed top and elaborately decorated sides, depicting a scene from the "The Stone Flower" fairy tale, signed "Palekh, Borisova". Size: 2" x 1.625" x 1.375" high or 50 mm x 40 mm and 35 mm high. Mint condition.
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$350.00 |
| #430178 | PALEKH papier-mache hinged double lacquer jewelry box, hand painted by A.B. titled and depicting a scene from Russian folk tale "The Little Humpbacked Foal". Elaborately pained with gold decoration on all sides of both boxes, on 4 short legs, 70 mm x 70 mm, 60 mm tall, excellent condition
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$195.00 |
| #36h | Russian Palekh oval lacquer jewelry box "Tsar's Feast" signed A. Sokolov, dated 94, very elaborately decorated sides, 67 mm x 36 mm x 40 mm
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$125.00 |
| #530111 | 1997, Palekh hand painted oval black lacquer box by Nina Bogacheva, Honored Artist of Russian Federation titled "Eщe нe вcя чepemуxa тeбe в oкoшкo бpoшeнa" (not all bird cherry tree blossoms have been thrown in your window yet) after Palekh 1997 and before бoгaтчeвa (Bogacheva) on the bottom floral design in gold around bottom of the box. 80 mm x 62 mm x 26 mm
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$350.00 |
| #530112 | 2002, Palekh hand painted rectangular black lacquer box by Victor Yuskov depicting scene from Snow White Fairy tale, inscribed Palekh, Victor Yuskov, 2002 on the bottom of the box, floral design in gold around bottom of the box.. 63 mm x 82 mm x 32 mm
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$350.00 |
LIPETSK | ||
| #280113 | Small black lacquer box with elaborately decorated sides, depicting a young man on a jumping horse trying to reach the Princess, Signed: "Sivka-Burka" Lipetsk, Klokov V. Size: 3.75" x 3" x 1.5" high or 95mm x 78mm x 37mm high. Few very small chips on the bottom and under the cover, otherwise very good condition. Beautiful box from a scarce manufacturer.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$250.00 |
MSTERA | ||
| #250361 | Large Mstera black lacquer box, depicting a very elaborate and detailed scene from a fairytale titled "Mermaid". Signed: "Mstera, "Mermaid", N.P." Size: 5.625" x 6.875" x 1.5" high or 175mm x 145mm x 40mm high, very minor wear and small chips, but not on the painting.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$295.00 |
| #290570 | Medium Mstera black lacquer box depicting hunter saving a swan from a hawk. Signed: "Mstera, "Czar Sultan's Fable" K. A." with original 1980 sale tag from the manufacturer. Size: 4" x 4.875" x 1.625" high or 125 mm x 105 mm x 43mm high. Excellent condition.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$195.00 |
| #49h2019 | ND, Mstera. Papier-mache lacquer box titled "Troika" and signed lower right with initials, decorated sides, 175 mm x 60 mm x 35 mm
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$150.00 |
| #50h2019 | ND, Mstera. Two-tier "Persian Casket" type papier-mache lacquer box titled "Troika" and signed lower right with initials EB, decorated sides, 77 mm x 58 mm x 63 mm
[picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] | buy it
$150.00 |
| #290571 | Small round Mstera black lacquer box, depicting a couple enjoying winter Troyka ride. Signed: "Mstera, "Troyka", M. T." Size: 3.5" in diameter x 1.25" high or 88mm in diameter x 34mm high, few minor chips on the bottom part, otherwise very good condition.
[picture] | buy it
$150.00 |
| #380303 | Small Mstera round black lacquer box, depicting young man approaching maiden carrying buckets with water, signed "Mstera, "Down the paved road", Yu. C., with elaborately decorated border on top. Size: 3.375" diameter x 1" high or 88mm diameter x 25mm high. Excellent condition with one tiny scrape on the bottom of the cover.
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$150.00 |
| #250362 | Mstera black lacquer miniature small telephone book, elaborately painted, titled "Combat" signed I SP Malysheva, "Mstera", with 1987, 88 and 1989 calendars and views of cities of Vladimir and Suzdal, 110mm x 80mm, mint condition.
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$100.00 |
| #250363 | Mstera black lacquer miniature small telephone book, depicting a young man catching fish, with 1989, 90 and 1991 calendars and color views of cities of Vladimir and Suzdal, 110mm x 80mm, mint condition.
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$50.00 |
| #250364 | Mstera black lacquer miniature small telephone book, depicting a scene from "Golden Cock" tale, with 1991, 92 and 1993 calendars and color views of cities of Vladimir and Suzdal, 110mm x 80mm, mint condition.
[picture] | buy it
$50.00 |
| #35h | Russian Mstera "Persian Casket" style lacquer jewelry box "Shyrvanskaya Tsaritsa", character from poetic fairy tale "Golden Rooster" by A.S. Pushkin, signed Tyshlya K. with very elaborately decorated sides, 90 mm x 70 mm x 55 mm
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$125.00 |
| #530113 | ND, Mstera hand painted multicolor lacquer box in shape of traditional Russian country stove by A. Moshkovich, depicting scenes from "At the Pike's Behest" Fairy tale, inscribed Mstera, At the Pike's Behest, Moshkovich A. on the front bottom of the box. I had never seen Russian lacquer boxes of that shape 105 mm x 118 mm x 59 mm
[picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] | buy it
$350.00 |
| #530114 | 1992, Mstera hand painted pocket address and note book with black lacquer cover with scene from "Firebird" Fairy tale. Unsigned, 110mm x 80mm x 12mm, new
[picture] | buy it
$25.00 |
KHOLUY | ||
| #340422 | Special "premium" "Author's Edition" middle size Kholuy hinged black lacquer box with bombe chest style sides, depicting young couple embracing in a hay stack, surrounded by animals, sides heavily decorated with scenes of animals in natural surrounding and ornaments. Signed on the bottom: "Author's Work / "Summer Night" / art(ist) Kurnikova T. / papier-mache, egg / tempera, gold, etc. / Kholuy / 1999" in six lines. It is packed in specially made silk sack in original wooden box. A very rare and unusual piece in mint condition.
[picture] [picture] [picture] [picture] | buy it
$500.00 |
| #340427 | Small Kholuy red lacquer box, depicting a hero of fairytale "Konyok-Gorbunok" picking up firebird's feather, with elaborately decorated sides. Signed: "Feather of the Firebird", Kholuy, Gordienko T.N." on the top and "Made in USSR" on the bottom. Size: 2.75" x 1.375 x 1.75" high or 70 mm x 35 mm and 45 mm high. Was bought at Light Opera Gallery in San Francisco in late 80ies for $310. Tiny chip on the top.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$195.00 |
| #380304 | Small Kholuy square black lacquer box, with decorated sides and borders, depicting fairytale hero Sadko meeting Sea Princess, signed "Kholuy, "Sadko", Ch. N." Size: 1.75" x 1.75" x 1.25" high or 45 mm x 45 mm x 35 mm high. In original box, mint condition.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$95.00 |
| #340428 | Small Kholuy black lacquer hinged box, with very elaborately decorated sides on four small legs, depicting a city view of St. Petersburg, signed: "St. Petersburg" Kholuy, Vladimirov." Size: 3.375" x 2.5" x 2"high or 85 mm x 65 mm and 50 mm high. Mint condition.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$200.00 |
| #430174 | KHOLUY Papier-mache lacquer box, hand painted by G. Burlakov, titled "Magical Squirrel" from Alexander Pushkin "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", 150 mm x 82 mm, 35 mm tall. In excellent condition.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$195.00 |
| #430175 | KHOLUY 1990 papier-mache hinged lacquer box, hand painted by S. Turanova depicting city of Suzdal, 115 mm x 98 mm, 50 mm tall, purchased in USSR in closed store for Foreign Tourists "Beriozka" with enclosed description with it. In excellent condition.
[picture] [picture] [picture] | buy it
$195.00 |
| #34h | Russian Kholuy rectangular lacquer jewelry box "Morozko", Russian fairy tale, signed U. T. with pedestal on short legs and decorated sides, 90 mm x 55 mm x 40 mm
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$75.00 |
FEDOSKINO | ||
| #380305 | Small round black lacquer box, with bombe chest style bottom, depicting still life of fruit and exotic bird in excellent classical style, signed: "Karpova" Size: 1.625" diameter x 1.125" high, or 42 mm diameter x 27mm high, Mint condition.
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$75.00 |
| #430177 | FEDOSKINO Papier-mache hinged lacquer box, hand painted by A.V. Solovyev depicting Saint Vasily the Blessed Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Description on the box reads s. Fedoskino / g. Moscva / Solovyev A.V., 80 mm x 55 mm, 30 mm tall, painted with elaborate gold border around top panel and center of front panel. In excellent condition.
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$95.00 |
| #33h | Russian Fedoskino rectangular lacquer jewelry box "Troika" signed Savelyeva S. dated 1981, 110 mm x 78 mm x 30 mm
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$75.00 |
| #51h2019 | ND, Fedoskino. Round papier-mache lacquer box depicting scene from Russian Fairy tale "Magic Pike", a Russian folk winter version of "Golden Fish (Fisherman and the Fish)" about pike that accidently got caught and buys its freedom by tending to wishes of her captor. Signed F-no lower left and N. Khizhnak lower right, 60 mm in diameter, 25 mm tall,
[picture] [picture] [picture] | buy it
$150.00 |
| #530116 | 1994, Fedoskino hand painted small rectangular hinged black lacquer box by Yuriy Butsinsky, depicting chess game among family members, all in traditional Russian costumes, inscribed Fedoskino, 1994, 246, exec Butsinskiy Yu. on the bottom of the box. Gold floral decoration around bottom of the box 48 mm x 36 mm x 40 mm, stamped Fedoscino / Фeдocкинo / Troyka in gold inside of cover tiny chip at two sides connection, away from any painting
[picture] [picture] [picture] | buy it
$100.00 |
| #530117 | ND, Fedoskino hand painted small rectangular hinged black lacquer box signed uncertainly, depicting country landscape, inscribed Fedoskino and signature on the bottom of the box. Gold floral decoration around lower part of the box 48 mm x 36 mm x 40 mm, stamped Fedoscino / Фeдocкинo / Troyka in gold inside of cover a little bit of craquelure on front of the box
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$50.00 |
| #530118 | ND, Fedoskino hand painted round compact powder black lacquer box unsigned, depicting stormy sea, with a Beryozka store (Premium store for foreigners only, with transactions in foreign currency only) paper, stating Fedoskino manufacturer and "Sea" title. In original box. 60 mm in diameter, 15 mm tall
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$45.00 |
| #530120 | ND, Fedoskino hand painted round compact powder black lacquer box unsigned, depicting stormy sea, with a Beryozka store (Premium store for foreigners only with transactions in foreign currency only) paper, stating Fedoskino manufacturer and "Sea" title. In original box. 60 mm in diameter, 15 mm tall
[picture] [picture] | buy it
$45.00 |
