Show all images on one page	#005500 Title: Sadko-the Story Teller Artist: Nechaev Oleg Size: 15.5x13.5x3 Size (inches): 6x5.25x1.25 Price : $1450 SOLD!

Oleg Nechaev is the author of this shell-shaped box. Its subject is based on the Russian fairy-tale "Sadko" that tells about exciting adventures of the merchant Sadko in the underwater kingdom of Tsar Morskoi (or "the King of the Sea"). In the center of the composition the artist depicts Tsar Morskoi sitting on his throne and asking Sadko to play a wonderful tune on his psaltery. Two mighty, well-armed bogatyrs protect Tsar Morskoi, and one of them sits on the huge horsefish. Tsar Morskoi's doesn't want Sadko to leave his underwater kingdom and forces him to marry his daughter, depicted near the throne. The fantastic underwater world inhabited by different sorts of fish and other sea creatures is vividly depicted here.
The composition is painted in contrast light and dark blue tones of oil suitable for reproduction of the underwater kingdom. Gold and silver metal leaf is inlaid into different parts of the composition including details of the characters' costumes, the sun and some of the fish.
The box is richly decorated. The box's exterior is covered with black lacquer mixed with gold dust. The exterior is decorated with gold scan patterns composed of gold metal leaf circles of different size that resemble the sea foam. These patterns are arranged in a special way to bear a resemblance with the sea waves. In the center of the box's exterior bottom the artist has painted a horsefish and water plants on the shining gold and silver metal leaves. The interior is traditionally covered with red lacquer.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. The lid is hinged from the top of the scene, and the box rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed with the artist's name, and the title.