Show all images on one page	#003762 Title: Forest Tales Artist: Maslov Vladislav Size: 7x7x9 Size (inches): 2.75x2.75x3.5 Price : $1750 SOLD!

Vladislav Maslov from Fedoskino has painted this gorgeous box. It is a fine specimen of an oil based painting worthy to be exhibited in a museum. It is an artist's original work as well, which was taken straight from the creative depths of his head, to paper, and then finally to this box.
The work is called "Forest Tales". The whole surface of its exterior (except the exterior bottom) is covered with impeccable miniature painting. On the box's front side Maslov has drawn Alexander Pushkin's cat from his introductory poem to "Ruslan and Ludmila". This cat is Russia's favorite literary animal. It acts as the muse and teller of Pushkin's writings that have captivated his audience since the early 1800's. The cat is often called 'clever', and is described as always being around an oak tree by the sea. Around the oak a golden chain is wound, along which the cat walks around day and night. When it goes left it tells a story and upon going right it sings a song. On the rest part of the box's exterior Maslov continues to describe what is taking place in and around the oak tree from the cat's point of view. The trunk of the big old oak tree is painted on the box's right side. A small boy peeps out from the big hollow of the oak. The artist goes on to paint the branches of the oak on the box's front side, from the right of the cat. There is a mermaid sitting on the branches, and playing the lute. In the far background, a little above the cat's head you can see Ruslan sitting on horseback. The crown of the oak tree is drawn on the box's lid. Here the artist has painted oak leaves and beetles hovering over them. One of the beetles is crafted three-dimensionally as well as some of the leaves painted on the bulging pieces of mother-of-pearl (these pieces of mother-of-pearl repeat the shape of leaves). The oak leaves painted over the bulging pieces of mother-of-pearl can be also found on the box's sides; the artist has created an illusion that these leaves are falling from the oak's crown. A small pearl bead is glued to almost each oak leaf to create an illusion of dew drops shining on these leaves. On the box's left side Maslov has drawn Baba-Yaga walking through the forest and gathering healing herbs. She is accompanied by the wolf, the white horse, the bat and the forest birds. On the box's rear side the artist has again painted Baby-Yaga committing a magic ritual with the help of a sword.
To paint this work Maslov has used violet, crimson, blue and brown tones of oils. In some areas the oils are mixed with gold powder that shines brightly through them. Gold and silver paints are used to enhance various details. The box's bottom part is outlined with gold. Its exterior bottom is covered with dark crimson lacquer mixed with gold powder. Dark crimson lacquer mixed with gold powder also covers the box's interior. On the lid's interior and the interior of the box's body Maslov continues to paint oak leaves. A small square piece of mother-of-pearl is glued to the lid's interior; the artist has again drawn on it oak leaves, and also written his name, the title and the year of 2007. The box is made out of paper-mache. The lid is hinged, and the box rests on a four feet.