Show all images on one page	#001661 Title: Lel's song Artist: Karpova L. Size: 15.5x8x3.5 Size (inches): 6.25x3.25x1.5 Price : $295 SOLD!

This marvelous box was painted by Fedoskino artist L. Karpova. The box shows a scene from the popular Russian fairy-tale "The Snow Maiden", or, Snegurochka in Russian. The original of this composition was painted by M. Pashinin, and you can see it in the book by Nikolai Malakhov, 1990, FEDOSKINO, IZOBRAZITELNOYE ISKUSSTVO PUBLISHERS, Moscow.
The composition is very romantic and peaceful. The shepherd named Lel is playing his flute while the Snow Maiden listens to his music and experiences such emotions she has never experienced before. She feels that she has fallen in love with this handsome shepherd. The picturesque summer landscape of Russian countryside only strengthens her emotions. She wants to love and to be loved.
There is a good feel of ancient Russian tradition in the scene. The characters are dressed in traditional Russian costumes. The Snowmaiden is dressed in the sarafan and the chemise (this word can be translated into Russian as "sorochka"). Her head is decorated with the wreath twined of field flowers. In ancient Russia such wreaths were won only by young unmarried girls. Married women were banned to go out bare-headed. Lel wears traditional Russian peasant costume and shoes called "lapti" (bast shoes) In the background the artist depicts birch trees that are symbols of Motherland for each Russian man.
The composition is painted mostly in green tones suitable for depiction of the summer season and looks strikingly realistic.
The box is made out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The interior also includes the Fedoskino