Show all images on one page	#004518 Title: Peter and Fevroniya Artist: Shirokov Anataliy Size: 18.5x24.5x5 Size (inches): 7.25x9.75x2 Price : $1450 SOLD!

Anatoliy Shirokov of Mstera is the artist who painted the story on this box. This story comes from the Russian Orthodox Church's series of books "The Lives of the Saints." The story involves a couple who meet as a result of the man's [Peotr] heroism. After defeating a dragon Peotr is badly injured and he goes to the land of Ryazan where many healers take up a residence. He meets Fevroniya, a healer, with whom Peotr falls in love with and marries shortly thereafter. When Peotr went back to his hometown of Murom with his new bride the nobles disapproved. So as not to start a conflict the newlyweds went to live elsewhere. However, people became dissatisfied with the way the nobles were ruling the land and the townspeople began murdering the nobles. Upon hearing this Peotr and Fevroniya went back to Murom, where they established order once again and performed miracles on a regular basis in the name of God.
The work of master Mstera artist Anatoliy Shirokov is immediately apparent. He employs classic iconic styles with his elongated figures, multiple scenes, Byzantine elements, and written epitaphs. Here, Shirokov uses a bold palette of paints with colors like green, red, orange, tan, and brown. He uses gold paint in rich amounts, which helps to enhance the colors on in the composition and attract a good amount of light.
The edges of the lid are decorated with gold beads. A brilliant, wide gold band can be found wrapping around the box's sides. This gold band runs parallel to an elegant gold pattern. In the center of each of the box's sides Shirokov has painted two white doves that symbolize a sincere love of Peotr and Fevroniya.
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 box. A hinge has been fastened to the left of the composition and the box rests on four rounded legs. The work is signed with the artist's name, Mstera and the title (“Peotr and Fevroniya”).