Show all images on one page	#002060 Title: Tale of The Sleeping Princess and the Seven Bogatyrs Artist: Moshkovich Vladimir Size: 39.5x28x10 Size (inches): 15.5x11x4 Price : $10000 SOLD!

The master responsible for this extraordinary piece of Russian artistry is renown Mstera master Vladimir Moshkovich. His work is as well known as it is exceptional. Experienced elegance. Moshkovich has participated in many exhibitions, including the celebration of the 200-year anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. You feel as if you are looking into an imaginative sense of being rather than simply being audience to a material object that is appealing to the eye. The master's work exudes personality and skill. It becomes immediately recognizable why Moshkovich pieces have been displayed in numerous museums throughout Russia.
Moshkovich depicts various scenes from the timeless Russian fairy-tale entitled, "The Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Bogatyrs." There are twelve compositions in total, all painted on the five individual lids of this profoundly attractive vanity case and on the hidden surprises within. This tale comes from the creative genius associated with Russia's most famous literary master, Alexander Pushkin. This is of course the more legendary and medieval version of what is known by many through childhood as, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." It is fascinating to see how story changes through time and culture. In the Russian tale, there is an evil jealousy possessed by the new wife of the powerful Tsar. His first wife passed during child birth and the new Tsaritza has taken over. The Tsaritza, or Queen, despises all that look of general complexion. She also wishes to be the "loveliest woman in the kingdom." Her magical mirror tells her so, until...
The full story of "The Dead Tsarina and the Seven Bogatyrs" can be found in the popular Lucy Maxym book entitled, Russian Lacquer, Legends and Fairy Tales Volume II. On the center and largest composition, painted on the lid of the vanity mirror, we see the beautiful Princess as she meets the Seven Bogatyrs for the very first time. The Bogatyrs request that she select one of them as her husband while the others will remain as her sworn brothers. She neglects, telling them that she has sincere love for Prince Elisey. In a bit of foreshadowing, we see Prince Elisey on horseback towards the upper left portion of this composition. He asks the Wind, who eventually helps him, if he has seen where his beloved could possibly be. The barkedy dog of the Princess can also be seen here as well.
To the right and left of the central composition the artist adds two compartments on either side which are lined with bright red velvet interiors. Each lid is composed on the front and back side. The interior side of each lid contains a gorgeous floral composition surrounded by elaborate gold filigree designs, while the exterior of each lid contains a composition related to the story. The upper left compartment depicts Prince Elisey as he inquires of the Sun as to the whereabouts of his beloved. The lower compartment on the left side depicts the Princess as she is deceived by one of the evil Queen's old crones. The woman to the right was supposed to tie the Princess to the left and leave her for dead, but the Princess pulled at the crone's heart strings and survived the plot of the wicked one. The compartment to the upper right depicts Prince Elisey as he requests the help of the Moon, who in turn directs him to the Wind. The bottom right compartment depicts Prince Elisey with Princess in hand. He has smashed the crystal casket in the background and has rescued his true love.
Upon opening the central lid we see a festival of creativity. The artist has created four individual slots, carved to hold the objects within, with the interiors lined with lively red velvet to prevent scratching. In these slots we see a hair brush complete with bristles, a comb with wooden varnished teeth, a circular box with a hingeless lid and a square box with a hingeless lid. Both boxes are lined with red velvet, again to prevent scratching when your favorite items are placed inside.
Each of these four items contain either a composition related to the story or highly decorative patterning. What would a happy ending be without a glimpse of the evil defeated? The round box depicts the wicked Queen as she gazes into her infamous mirror of beauty critique. A flowered pattern of golden and aluminum filigree surrounds the composition. The hair brush depicts the eventual feast in celebration of the two lost loves finally getting back together. The composition is seen in the widest portion of the brush surface. A radiant pattern of intricate gold filigree, accented with aluminum wild flowers, frames the scene and then extends into decoration for the handle. A stunning piece. The square box displays the Princess and Prince Elisey reunited in the palace with the Seven Bogatyrs to the right and the old Tsar to the left. This composition is framed with well detailed golden filigree and minute aluminum wild flowers. The lid extends over the base concealing the inner edge of the base within. The outer edge of the lid is painted with flowing vine work which develops into tulips and wild flowers painted powder blue and violet-orange. The vines are a mixture of forest and lime green. The inner vertical edge of this box is decorated with a pattern identical to the one which acted as the framing for the composition. The comb is decorated with swirls of golden filigree, aluminum flowers and tightly wound gold scrollwork on its upper surface.
The two boxes and the brush have the artist's name, the village name of Mstera and the title of the action depicted written on them in gold paint. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of all the pieces while red velvet finishes the interior of each. The central lid, which contains a seven by eight inch mirror, is decorated around its red velvet edge by a beautiful pattern of blooming golden filigree, aluminum flowers and aluminum highlights. What will be asked of the mirror only one may know.
There are four large sides to this case which hold all of the compartments together. Each of the four sides is painted with dynamic animation among blossoming vegetation. Each side contains the hunter's of the kingdom, painted to the far left and right of each side, with various animals of the hunt composed in the center of each side. Each hunter is extremely vivid. They all ride horses of various stance and energy. The front side hunters chase after two elusive foxes, the right and left side hunters surround massive deer and the rear side hunter is actually a falconer that hopes of snaring some of the colorful fowl that swoop and dive around him. Between all of this action the artist has added a garden of pure elegance. Dozens of vines twist and curve among the hunters with a countless variety of flowers growing between them. Roses, lilies, orchids and tulips. Radiant orange, precious pink, aquamarine and violet. A symphony of entrancing color.
The front side of the base contains a large removable drawer decorated with the foliage seen on all four sides of the base. The interior of the drawer is covered with red velvet. The entire piece rests on four angled feet carved from the bottom of the piece and two round edges to the left and right of the removable drawer. The round edges prevent the drawer from touching the surface. The round edges and the four feet are covered with black velvet as well. The original metal button, used to unlatch the lid, can be seen above the front side drawer. The central lid does not lock.
Moshkovich has used a sublime palette of color and a heavenly combination of decoration to paint and accent the main frame of the vanity case and the smaller articles within. The use of gold enhances some of the more featured elements of the piece. The armor of the Seven Bogatyrs on the central lid is so well applied that it appears wet to the touch. The structure of their home is in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Multiple shades of peach, electric blue, green and auburn reflect fairy tale magic on a superior level.
The four outer compartments contain some of the most involved patterns of filigree on their lid's interiors. Gatherings of flowers, vines, petals and beads that will create immediate awe. The floral compositions; set against forest green, mustard and tan backgrounds; are a beautiful addition. All of these flower petals are shaded and highlighted in gold. A treasure of natural beauty. The vines and flowers which decorate the base sides and the hunters seen here, all outlined in gold in such a way that you'd think they all grew on their own! A tribute to the master.
Each of the lids on the four outer compartments are hinged to their outermost side. The central lid is hinged at the top of the composition and a brace, which holds the lid upright upon opening, is added as well. Each of the interior pieces is a feast for the eyes and mind. The application of gold is used as brightly as the element allows. Shimmering, glowing, reflective. Composed pirate's treasure. The piece depicting the Queen is especially inspiring, with its navy blue background and deep red roses.
Upon completion of the piece the artist has written his name, the title of the entire work; with tribute to Pushkin; the village name of Mstera and the year of 1993 of which the piece was completed on the bottom of the central lid's composition.
Materials: Egg-tempera paint, paper-mache, gold paint, aluminum paint, metal, mirrored glass, red and black velvet, lacquer.
The piece was featured at the exhibitions of The Moscow House of Artist's as well as the Mstera and Kholui Anniversary Exhibition. This work is also featured on pages 106 and 107 of the BOOK, "Lacquer Miniatures of Mstera" written and selection compiled by Larisa Solovyova, 2001, printed out by Interbook.