Show all images on one page	#009610 Sale! Title: Emelya and the Magic Fish (or By the Pik'e Will) Artist: Gagarina Olga Size: 10x3 Size (inches): 4x1.25 Price: $135 $95

This round box that shows a scene from the popular Russian fairy-tale "By the Pike's Will" or "Emelya and the Magic Pike" was painted by Palekh artist, Gagarina Olga.
In short, this tale is about a young man who has catch a special fish when he goes to get water from the river. In return for releasing her, the Magic Pike offers to fulfill Emelia's wishes. Being a lazy fellow, Emelya light-heartedly uses magic forces, asking the pike to help him to perform his chores while he relaxes. He orders his water-pails to go home by itself, which they do, much to the surprise of his sisters-in-law. Then he orders the sledge to go by itself to the nearest forest where his ax falls wood for the fire. Afterwards he gets to the tsar's palace, riding a stove. In the palace he meets the tsar's daughter and falls in love with her. The tale ends happily and finally Emelya marries the tsar's daughter.
The scene depicted on the box shows the very beginning of this tale- Emelya has catch a magic fish when he goes to get water from the river. On the left side, near the ice hole the artist has painted two buckles full of water. On the background we can see the snow covered village houses.
The palette is based in blues and gray colours to show us a beauty of a winter day. Gold and silver are used to highlight and detail of the composition.
The box is made out of paper-mache. The interior of the box is red, while the exterior is covered with back lacquer. The lid is not hinged, and the box rests on a flat bottom.
Golden dot ornament frames the composition, while more complex floral pattern wraps around the sides of the box.
The work is signed by the artist with his name, Palekh and '00 (2000 year).