Show all images on one page	#004813 Title: Svyatki Artist: Zakharov Sergey Size: 10x8x3 Size (inches): 3.75x3x1.25 Price : $795 SOLD!

On the 6th of January in Russia begin "svyatki" (svyatochnye weeks) - two weeks after Christmas celebration.
In ancient times in svyatki Russian people dressed masks and fancy dresses and walked along village streets, singing Christmas songs that glorified Jesus Christ. They stopped in at different houses and the owners had to give them presents and sweets. This ancient rite in Russian sounds like "kaliyda". During the nights in svyatki young girls were engaged in fortune-telling, trying to find out their future and - especially regarding their promised husbands.
In this composition the author depicted a kind of fortune-telling performed in svyatki. Young girls scatter corn on the floor, and sharply at midnight they let a cock in. According to the cock's behavior they define their future. If the cock pecks all corn the next year will be successful and the girl who has fed the cock will marry soon. If the cock doesn't peck corn at all the next year will be unsuccessful.
Zakharov uses a palette that is characteristic of his work. Warm paints dominate the scene, such as orange, yellow, and red, while darker and cooler paints are used to outline the external frame inside the composition. This helps to draw the eye towards the center, and where the artist shows emphasis with the warm tones. The layout of the painting is configured according to ancient icon painting methods that allow for spatial and temporal dimensions within a painting to be manipulated. This gives the artist the freedom to work outside of the realm of perspective and fully exploit his artistic vision. The detailing is minute, precise, and skillfully makes this composition full of movement and action.
Gold paint is used to aid in the adding of the detail. However, the use of gold is not overdone and its subtle presence brings a rich ambiance to the scene. Gold and aluminum are used to decorate the exterior of the box. Zakharov's precision and ability to paint minuscule decoration is illustrated in the filigree that frames the scene and the filigree that wraps around the sides of the box. This decoration truly adds the final touch to the aesthetics of this piece.
The box is constructed out of paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior and red lacquer is used to paint the interior of the box. The box has a hinge located above the composition and rests on a flat bottom. The artist wrote the title ("Svyatki"), Kholuy, and signed his name under the composition. He does the same to the interior of the lid, but adds that this work is his own imaginative and original work.