Show all images on one page	#003275 Title: Tale of the Vital waters and Youth bringing apples Artist: Chibisov Roman Size: 16.5x9.5x4 Size (inches): 6.5x3725x1.5 Price : $1350 SOLD!

This splendid box is a creation of Roman Chibisov from the village of Palekh. Chibisov has elaborated his own style of painting that is easily recognizable. His works are always brilliantly painted and decorated with gorgeous patterns that shine with gold metal leaf inlay.
The box's 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 and marry the beautiful Blue Eyed Maiden.
The drawing is a rich sea of details. The artist pays great attention to the expressive faces of all characters (there are twelve human figures), and to their costumes, drawing countless folds and ornaments. Brilliant gold and silver paints are applied with a very thin brush to enhance various details.
The ornamentation of the box is amazing. The scene is framed with a magnificent pattern that is made in the form of oak tree leaves and flowers, and shines with gold metal leaf inlay. The box's sides are decorated with an intricate gold floral and leafy ornament accompanied by tiny stars. In the middle of each side there is a decorative design made in the form of a bush and painted over gold metal leaf. On the box's interior bottom Chibisov has painted in gold the branches of an apple tree and the antique vase; here he has also written his name, the title, Palekh, and the year of 2007, all in gold.
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 scene and rests on four legs.