Russian Lacquer Fairy Boxes: Russian lacquer art developed from the art of icon painting which came to an end with the collapse of Imperial Russia. The icon painters, who previously had been employed by supplying not only churches but people’s homes, needed a way to make a living. Thus, the craft of making papier-mâché decorative boxes and panels developed, the items were lacquered and then hand painted by the artists, often with scenes from folk tales. Reference: Wikipedia
A Russian papier-mache table box lid decorated with fairy tale subject height 2 1/8in; width 9 1/2in; depth 6 3/4in
Sold for US$ 85 (£ 67) inc. premium at Bonhams in 2011
Zhukov Palekh Russian lacquer box, Frog Princess. Cigarette case style box with the lid and sides depicting fairy tale. Signed A. Zhukov, dated 95. (3 1/2″ tall, 3″ x 1 1/2″).
Sold for $160 at D.G.W. Auctioneers Inc. in 2018
A GROUP OF FOUR RUSSIAN PAINTED LACQUER BOXES Of various sizes and shapes, each depicting scenes from various fairy tales. Together with an egg-form box and four painted-wood eggs. 9 items Width of largest box 5 3/4 in.
Sold for 5,700 USD at Sothebys in 2004
