Show all images on one page	#003659 Title: Tea Drinking at the Samovar Artist: Wagner Marie of Fedoskino Size: 6.5x6.5x5 Size (inches): 2.5x2.5x2 Price : $495 SOLD!

This alluring piece of genuine Russian artistry was composed by Maria Wagner from the village of Fedoskino. Most of all she likes to depict scenes from village life. Her boxes are always very easy to recognize. They have a unique flavor that opens a vault of collectable possibilities.
The semicircular box features the scene of tea drinking that is traditional for the Fedoskino lacquer miniature art. Pretty maidens and handsome lads have gathered in the warm peasant house to drink tea from samovar, and to have a good time in the cold winter evening. In old times in Russia young village people often gathered in a big peasant house when it was cold and frosty outdoors. They sang songs, played various games, danced and talked. In Russian such sort of gatherings sounds like "posidelki".
The scene is beautifully painted in Wagner's signature translucent jewel palette. The artist has mixed bright oils with gold and silver metal paints to create a unique glow and breathtaking depth. The semicircular shape of the box helps the artist to reproduce vividly the interior of the peasant house, and also to find place for six characters on this small box. The painting extends on the whole surface of the box except its exterior bottom that is covered with black lacquer. The interior is traditionally covered with red lacquer.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. The lid is hinged, and the box rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed with the artist's name, and the village of Fedoskino.