Show all images on one page	#001222 Title: Tale of golden rooster Artist: Veselov Mikhail Size: 13x11x4 Price : $540 SOLD!

Mikhail Veselov from the village of Kholuy is the talented artist responsible for this hand crafted beauty. The details are a delight, a bouquet of infinite intricacy that can be enjoyed time and time again. The talent is evident.
The composition shows a scene from the memorable tale of, "The Golden Cockerel", written by A.S. Pushkin. It is the defining moment when Tsar Dadon comes back to his kingdom with the bride he is to marry. She is the Queen of Shemakha, whose beauty has blinded the weak tsar and made him forget about the important things in life. Two of those cost him his life and made him deserve the death he was dealt.
First when he rode to the outer reaches of his kingdom to find the sons he saw an awful sight. His sons lying dead with their armies and looking as if they all killed each other in some horrible mistake. However, his grief was soon taken away by the sight of the Queen of Shemakha, with whom he spent three nights before embarking on a return to his kingdom leaving his two sons on the battlefield. Second, the indirect result of his death came as he broke his promise to the astrologer. The astrologer originally brought the cockerel to Dadon, which promised to signal an approaching threat. In return the tsar gave the astrologer a wish that could be redeemed at anytime. For all this time while the astrologer did not need anything Dadon was happy. However, when Dadon and the Queen of Shemakha came back the astrologer requested the queen's hand in marriage. Swelling with rage Dadon struck the astrologer with his staff, while simultaneously the cockerel flew down from its perch and pecked Dadon to death. After this incident the Queen of Shemakha was never seen or heard from again.
The palette here is very diverse, incorporating red, blues, oranges, greens, yellows, browns, and grays in a bright array of combinations. It is these combinations that attracts the eye and allows the viewer to look on this painting with ease. He makes every character, of which there are many, an individual entity giving him, or her in the queen's case, distinguishing characteristics and personalities. The characters all have very expressive faces and the exaggerated body language fills the scene with a sense of action and dramatic tension.
Gold is used to enhance the already intricate detailing and bring out the true power of his palette. Kholuy artists are fond of using gold and aluminum, but only to strengthen the painting, which is done exquisitely. The artist's use of gold is the most impressive in the depiction of the cockerel swooping down from its perch. Its well defined feathers and the halo of gold lines coming out of it can only truly be appreciated holding the box in one's hands.
Golden and aluminum beads, painted in various sizes, form a single string of framing around the lid's artistry. The sides of the box are decorated with beautiful and complex geometrical and floral designs painted in gold and aluminum. The box is made out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. A hinge has been fastened to the top of the composition for ease of opening, and the box rests on a small platform. It is signed with the artist's name, village and year (2004). The same inscription can be on the lid's interior, with an additional confirmation that it is the original author's work.