Show all images on one page	#001114 Title: Winter troika races Artist: Yantkova L. Yu. Size: 15.5x6.5x3.5 Price : $290 SOLD!

This box was created by Fedoskino artist Yantkova L.Yu. The composition shows one of the all time favorite subjects for lacquer box painters - that of a pair of racing winter troikas (three horse sleighs), speeding through the Russian countryside. In Russia, the troika is a very important national theme representing freedom and good nature. During the long winter months taking a troika ride for fun is a common practice, and yes, even today, in more rural areas of the country.
The artist uses a simple set of colors from a palette that is used to paint over an aluminum primer. The aluminum, which is under the entire painting, with the exception of the black area over the horizon, shines and sparkles through the painting. This gives off a shimmer of snow on a dark night that ultimately makes the ground look gray. The way the troikas and people are depicted contrasts the landscape since they are painted with bright colors and inlays of gold leaf. Homes in the background are painted to give perspective and a sense of freedom in the area, which the troika is riding through. The horses pulling the sled are painted with great detail and attention to correctly portraying their anatomical features. This is a classic representation of work done with a foundation of knowledge still used in Fedoskino today.
The sides of the box are adorned with intricate gold and silver patterns that consist of interlaced snowflakes. The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the box while red lacquer completes the interior of the work. The box has a hinge from the top of the composition and rests on a flat bottom. The Fedoskino "troika" insignia can be found on the interior of the lid. The box is signed with the artist's name, village and year (2000).