Show all images on one page	#002554 Title: The Apples of Youth and the Water of Life Artist: Chibisov Roman Size: 16.5x12.5x3 Size (inches): 6.5x5x1.25 Price : $1350 SOLD!

This splendid box has been created by Roman Chibisov from the village of Palekh. Its subject is based on the thrilling Russian fairy-tale "The Apples of Youth and the Water of Life". The old Tsar dreams of returning him youth and being young again. He sends his three sons to carry him the golden apples and the water of life. With the help of the golden apples, he hopes to become young again, and with the help of the magic water, he intends to heal his poor eyesight. Having been tempted and deceived by a wicked maiden, the elder brothers are taken prisoner, while their young brother Ivan Tsarevich manages to fulfill this task.
The scene shows Ivan Tsarevich stealing the apples of youth from the garden of the incomparably beautiful Blue-Eyed Maiden; his father, the powerful Tsar, who wants to regain his youth; and some minor characters from this tale as musicians and servants.
The drawing is a rich sea of details. The artist pays great attention to the expressive faces of all characters (there are nine human figures), and to their costumes, drawing countless folds and multitude of minute details. Gold paints are used to enhance the details and to outline areas of the scene for added emphasis.
The ornamentation of the box is amazing. The scene is framed with intricate and fantastically beautiful floral pattern cut out of bright gold metal leaf. The blue-greenish background has been chosen for this pattern. The sides of the box are decorated with floral designs painted in gold paints.
The box is made out of paper-mache. Red lacquer covers the interior of the box and black lacquer is used to paint the exterior. The box has a hinge from the top of the composition and rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed with the artist's name, the year of 2006, the title and the village of Palekh.