In the style of the Palekh or Kholuy schools, this Russian lacquer box is crafted from papier-mâché with a black lacquered exterior and a characteristically bright red lacquered interior. The lid features a hand-painted miniature scene depicting a subject from Russian folklore, possibly The Humpbacked Horse. The scene shows a figure in traditional Russian dress riding two stylized horses—one in shades of teal and the other in lime green—amidst a fantastical landscape with swirling waves and architectural elements. The central composition is framed by an ornate gold-painted scrollwork border. Small marks are present at the base of the painted scene; however, they are not clearly legible. The box is rectangular with rounded corners and a hinged lid.
Length: 15.5 cm.
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