Show all images on one page	#001672 Title: Salomeya's Dance Artist: Gaun Alexander Size: 24x18x3.5 Size (inches): 9.5x7x1.5 Price : $795 SOLD!

This gorgeous work was painted by Alexander Gaun from the village of Mstera. It is based on the tragic biblical subject that tells about the cruel murder of John the Baptist and shows the infamous dance of Salome. Salome was the daughter of Herodias and the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas. It has been said that her well-known "dance of the 7 veils" captured the heart of Herod, and he promised to give her anything in the world she asked for. Salome's only wish was to have John the Baptist's head on a silver platter. The gospel writers say she was influenced by her mother, who harbored a deep hatred for John. Herod fulfilled his promise and ordered his servants to behead John the Baptist who was imprisoned.
In the middle of the composition we can see Salome dancing at the birthday party of the king Herod Antipas. In the upper left corner of the composition the artist depicts John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ. In the bottom left corner a Herod's servant beheads John the Baptist, and from the right of this scene we can see Herod's servants carrying John the Baptist's head on a silver platter.
To paint this composition the artist uses three main colors: orange, red and green. There are nice details throughout, from the fine gold in the people's clothes and the silver lines on the floor, to the architectural details, which are neatly and attractively rendered.
The composition is framed with a gold line. The sides of the box are adorned with beautiful gold and aluminum floral ornamentation.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the work. The lid is hinged and the box rests on a flat bottom. At the bottom of the composition the artist wrote in gold the title of the piece ("Solome"), the quotation from the Bible (Solome was dancing at the feast, her dance impressed Herod and all the guests. That is why the king swore to give Solome everything she wishes