Show all images on one page	#001741 Title: Duke and Churilo Artist: Shirokov Anastasiya Size: 18x13x3.5 Size (inches): 7x5x1.25 Price : $285 SOLD!

This highly attractive piece of genuine Russian artistry was created by Mstera master Anastasya Shirokova. She is the daughter of the prominent Mstera artist Anatoly Shirokov. She has adopted her father's painting methods that is why her works bear resemblance to the works of her father.
The composition features a scene from the ancient Russian legend "The Dispute of Duke and Churila". It tells about the dispute between the brave and mighty bogatyr, Duke Stepanovich, and envious boyar Churila Plyonkovich. Once Duke Stepanovich decided to go to Kiev to visit Prince Vladimir and Princess Apraxia. His mother warned him that the road to Kiev was very dangerous. Pecking birds and dragons could kill him, or he could fall down from the high mountains. The bogatyr replied that he wasn't afraid of these things because he had the magic steed, Burushko-Kosmatushko. He successfully got to Kiev, and was invited at the feast arranged by Prince Vladimir. During the feast Duke boasted, that bread and vodka, as well as many other things were better in his native kingdom than in Kiev. Hearing it, the young boar Churila Plyonkovich said Prince Vladimir that Duke exaggerated the wealth of his kingdom. He offered to put Duke in prison, and to send scouts to check if Duke was honest or not. Prince Vladimir agreed and ordered to imprison Duke Stepanovich, while Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich were sent to Duke's native kingdom. When they returned they said that they had never seen such a rich kingdom. The even houses there were made out of gold, and plain peasants of that kingdom were dressed in silks and silver. Duke Stepanovich was released but the envious Churila again decided to play a dirty trick on him. At first he offered Duke to compete who would be able to ride on his steed for twelve whole days. When Duke won this competition he offered to compete who would be able to change clothes as frequent as possibly. Duke Stepanovich again won this competition, and after that Prince Vladimir said that Churila shouldn't associate himself with bogatyrs, he should spend his time with Kievan women."
In the middle of the composition we can see Duke Stepanovich making a bet with Churila Plyonkovich. In the right bottom corner, Prince Vladimir and all citizens of Kiev witness this event. In the left bottom corner Duke Stepanovich says "goodbye" to his mother and sets out to Kiev. In the left upper corner, Duke Stepanovich successfully passes by pecking birds and dragons on his way to Kiev.
The composition is painted in the traditional for Mstera School palette filled with greens, blues, yellows and oranges. Gold and aluminum paints are used to add intricate details that bring out the true beauty of the palette and develop the contours as well.
The piece is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior while a vibrant red lacquer completes the interior. Gold ornamentation frames the scene, and decorates the box's sides. The box has a hinge above the composition and rests on four legs. The work is signed with the artist's name, the title and the village of Mstera.