- Origin and Schools: Russian lacquer boxes originated in the late 1700s and are primarily associated with four villages in Russia: Fedoskino, Palekh, Mstera, and Kholui, each distinguished by its unique artistic style.
- Materials and Technique: The boxes are typically crafted from papier-mâché, which is then lacquered and meticulously hand-painted with miniature scenes using fine brushes and traditional techniques.
- Artistic Styles: While all schools create detailed miniature paintings, their styles vary. For instance, Fedoskino artists often use oil paints and incorporate mother-of-pearl or gold leaf underlays for shimmer, while Palekh, Mstera, and Kholui, originally schools of icon painting, adapted their techniques to lacquer art, often depicting folklore and fairy tales.
- The Owl Motif: The owl, as depicted on your box, is a common subject in Russian lacquer art, often symbolizing wisdom, intelligence, and success.
- Collectibility: These hand-painted and often signed boxes are considered valuable pieces of Russian folk art and are sought after by collectors worldwide.
This oval shaped box is 2 by 4.5 by 1.