Eastern Europe, Russia, early to mid 20th century CE. A pretty hand-painted wood and paper mache box with a lacquer surface and hinged lid. The box has a red interior and a black lacquered exterior. The lid is painted with a sleigh known as a troika with three horses and three riders racing through the snow. The lid is signed on the bottom left and right with the village or workshop name and artist signature (both indiscernible). After the 1917 revolution, Russia banned the production of religious iconography, and thus the traditional icon painters began painting characters of fiction from fairy tales or poetry. The troika sleigh is heavily featured in the 19th century Russian novel "Dead Souls" by Nikolay Gogol. The imagery from the famous novel may have inspired this troika scene. A beautiful box, perfect for holding jewelry or special keepsakes! Size: 6" L x 4.25" W x 1.875" H (15.2 cm x 10.8 cm x 4.8 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#161260

Surface scratches and chipping to lacquer on long lower front edge. Some minor staining and discoloration to image on lid. Signatures are indiscernible. Metal hinge has developed a nice age patina. Box still opens and image is well preserved.