Show all images on one page	#002466 Title: Tale of Tsar Saltan Artist: Medvedeva Antonina Size: 17.5x12.5x21.5 Size (inches): 7x5x8.5 Price : $1350 SOLD!

This large box is a creation of Antonina Medvedeva from the village of Mstera. It is based on the Pushkin's "Tale of Tsar Saltan". It has four scenes around the body, four scenes around the lid's curved sides, and one rectangular scene on the lid's top.
The front side the box's body features a moment from the beginning of the tale. Three sisters gossip among themselves as they spin wool. Each tells what she would do if she were to marry Tsar Saltan, the ruler of the kingdom, and available bachelor. They don't know that the tsar himself is standing behind the door, overhearing their conversation. The youngest sister will soon become his bride because of her wise answer: "If I were the tsar's wife I would give birth to a charming child!" The left side shows Prince Gvidon saving the Pricess Swan from the hawk, while the right one depicts Princess Swan who appeared before Prince Gvidon and his mother as a beautiful maiden. The rear sides features Prince Gvidon, his mother and wife, meeting Tsar Saltan who sails to their island to find out whether all stories he heard about Gvidon's island are truthful.
The lid's rear side shows Tsar Saltan parting with his wife; it is a moment from the very beginning of the tale. The lid's left, front, and right scenes depict the united scene of the feast arranged to celebrate reunion of the family.
The rectangular scene on the lid's top features Tsar Saltan riding inside the carriage. At the bottom of it Medvedeva wrote her name, the village of Mstera and the title ("Tale of Tsar Saltan").
The work is painted in the traditional Mstera School style; all details are enhanced with bright gold paints. Each scene is outlined with a thin gold line and then framed with a gold leafy pattern.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes its interior. The box is hinged, and rests on four carved feet.