Show all images on one page	#006738 Title: Game of Townlets(Gorodki) Artist: Wagner Marie Size: 19x15x5 Size (inches): 7.5x6x2 Price : $1650 SOLD!

This interesting box shows us a scene from an old Russian town where on a beautiful sunny day people are playing gorodki.
Gorodki (or townlets) is an ancient Russian folk sport whose popularity has spread to Karelia, Finland, Sweden, Ingria, Lithuania, and Estonia. Similar in concept to bowling and also somewhat to horseshoes, the aim of the game is to knock out groups of skittles arranged in various patterns by throwing a bat at them. The skittles, or pins, are called gorodki (literally little cities or townlets), and the square zone in which they are arranged is called the gorod (city).
The game is mentioned in the Old Russian Chronicles and was known in a form that is quite close to the modern one at least from the 17th century, since one of the famous gorodki players was young Peter the Great of Russia.
The sumptuous style of the leading Fedoskino artist Maria Wagner shines in this delightful work. Each of her unique works looks festive and bright. Her expressively painted characters have large eyes and cherry drop mouths.
The scene is filled with a plenty of various details that help to reproduce the realistic view of a city street with its magnificent architecture.
At first sight at this box you can recognize Wagner's unmistakable mixture of fairy tale style realism and rich colors. Silver and gold paints have been used as an underlayer for the oils to create a unique glow and breathtaking depth.
On the box's exterior sides we can find several animals: birds, cats, hares and a squirrel. The box's bottom exterior is covered with black lacquer. The interior is traditionally covered with red lacquer.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. A hinge is fastened to the top of the scene, and the box rests on four feet. Signed with the artist's name, and the village of Fedoskino.