Show all images on one page	#002816 Title: The Lay of Oleg the Wise Artist: Morozov Alexander Size: 18x24x5 Size (inches): 7x9.5x2 Price : $795 SOLD!

This marvelous box entitled "Oleg the Wise" is a work of the outstanding Kholuy artist Alexander Morozov. Connoisseurs of Kholui art are familiar with the name of this artist, who is one of the major talents of the village. Morozov's works have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions and can be found in almost every book on Kholui lacquer miniature. His unusual style makes him a standout among other Kholui artists.
The subject is "The Lay of Oleg the Wise", a poem by A. Pushkin, written in 1822 and based on a chronicle cited in the first volume of Nikolai Karamzin's "History of the Russian State". Duke Oleg is one of the most famous legends and heroes of heathen Russia. He was the Duke of a small town under the Novgorod principality. He was a noble and wise ruler, so much so that the Boyars in 882 invited him to share the rulership of Kiev, the capital of the biggest and the strongest principality of Russia. Once Duke Oleg meets a prophet who says that his death will be caused by his favorite steed. Oleg parts with his horse. Some time passes and after a victorious raid at Khazars Oleg decides to see his former comrade. It turns out, however, that the horse is dead. The Duke goes to look on its bones and does not notice a snake crawling out of the horse's scull. The snake's bite proves fatal.
Glistering gold and silver paints are used to detail the armor of Oleg the Wise and warriors of his army, and also to enhance the harness of steeds. Gold and silver paints are also used to paint the attractive ornamentation that decorates the box's exterior.
The box is made out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The lid is hinged from the left of the scene, and the box rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed with the artist's name, Kholui, and the title.