Show all images on one page	#002059 Title: Nutcracker Artist: Belinina Size: 10.5x10.5x3.5 Size (inches): 4x4x1.5 Price : $425 SOLD!

This charming round box has been created by Belinina from the village of Kholui. She displays a scene from "The Nutcracker", a Christmas fairy-tale written by E.T.A Hoffman. Here we can see the main heroine of the tale, Mary, standing near the Christmas tree and holding in her hands the wooden Nutcracker. This doll has been presented to the girl by her uncle. During the Christmas night Mary falls asleep and dreams that all her toys become alive and start speaking like people. All of them are attacked by the army of mice under the leadership of huge three-headed Mouse King (he is depicted behind the girl's back). Mary is also in danger. Her favorite toy, the Nutcracker, saves her, and becomes her suitor. The dream of Mary is wonderful: she is happy and dances with the Nutcracker the whole night long under the New Year's tree and her happiness seems to be endless.
The scene is mostly painted in brown and red tones and abundantly detailed with bright gold paints. When this piece is turned in the palm of the hand, the gold shines like a handful of precious stones.
The edges of the lid and the sides of the box are decorated with elegant gold ornamentation. The lid isn't hinged and the box rests on three legs.
The box is made out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The work is signed, titled and dated (2005) on the lid's interior. Above this inscription the artist has painted the Swan Princess in gold and aluminum that is her personal logotype.