Show all images on one page	#001216 Title: Humpbacked little pony Artist: Rodina Z.N. Size: 13.5x8.5x4 Price : $195 SOLD!

This exceptionally detailed piece of Russian lacquer artistry was painted by the talented Zoya Rodina from the village of Kholuy. The composition shows several scenes from the popular Russian fairy-tale "The Humpbacked Pony". In the center of the composition we can see the main character of the tale, Ivan, and his faithful friend the Humpbacked Pony. To the right from him we can see the beautiful Tsar-Maiden, playing gusli. In the background the artist depicts the huge whale that helped Ivan to bring the ring of Tsar-Maiden, lost somewhere on the bottom of the ocean. To the left from Ivan there is the scene showing Ivan's transformation into a handsome man. The Tsar-Maiden has ordered the old tsar to dip himself in three cauldrons of boiling water, boiling milk and ice cold water in order to regain his youth. But the coward tsar, in his turn, has ordered Ivan to be the first to jump into the boiling water. Having undergone this severe trial, Ivan emerges from the last cauldron as an extremely handsome young man, whereas the old tsar, who also decides to test the magic, is boiled alive.
Rodina is an experienced artist. The infinite details within the facial expressions of the characters and the setting are the perfect examples of her skills. There are loads of texture within the leaves of the trees, the hills and the rolling currents of the ocean waters. Gold paint is used to detail the intricacies of the box. The architectural structures have an enchanting quality about them that is impossible to deny. The roof tops and archways have been countered in order to promote their luxurious appeal. The clothing of the characters has also been intensified in this way.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. As customary with Palekh tradition, the black lacquer exterior also acts like the background for the scene. This feature works wonders for the foliage and the precisely laid out architecture. The edges of the lid and its sides are ornamented with intricate gold and aluminum patterns. The box has a hinge above the scene and rests on four rounded legs. It is signed with the artist's name, village, title and year (2003).