Show all images on one page	#005257 Title: A Little Hump-backed Pony Artist: Bogdanov Vladimir Size: 16.5x11.5x20.5 Size (inches): 6.5x4.5x8 Price : $1850 SOLD!

This traditional Palekh box is a creation of Vladimir Bogdanov (born 1956). This talented artist is a participant of various exhibitions since 1985. His works are kept in the Art Fund of Russian Federation.
The theme of the piece is a Russian tale “The Humpbacked Little Pony”. Bogdanov has done a tremendous work, as the box features nine masterfully painted scenes. It has four extensive paintings around the body, one rectangular composition on the lid's top, and four scenes that run around the curved sides of the lid.
On the lid's front curved side the artist has painted a scene from the beginning of the story when Ivan caught the magic mare that trampled down wheat on his father's field. Ivan was the only son who managed to do it while Ivan's brothers fell asleep instead of catching the thief. The mare promised Ivan to present three foals in exchange for freedom. The rectangular composition on the lid's top shows that the mare kept her promise and gave birth to two beautiful golden-maned steeds and the Little Humpbacked Pony. The golden-maned steeds helped Ivan to become the tsar's stableman, while the Little Humpbacked Pony became his faithful friend who helped him to fulfill various tasks. The moment when Ivan started working as the tsar's stableman is depicted on the box's rear side. The capricious and self-willed tsar obliged Ivan to carry out very difficult tasks: to catch the firebird (this scene is painted on the lid's left curved side), to kidnap the beautiful Tsar Maiden (this scene is painted on the lid's right curved side), and to get the Tsar Maiden's ring with the help of the Huge Whale (this scene is painted on the lid's rear curved side). The box's left side shows the moment when Ivan delivered the firebird to the old greedy tsar while its right side depicts Ivan delivering the Tsar Maiden for the tsar. On the box's front side Bogdanov has painted the final moment of the tale when Ivan transformed into a handsome man after dipping himself into three cauldrons of boiling water, boiling milk and ice cold water.
A broad spectrum of colors is used to create this highly detailed world. The artist leaves the sky black, which is one of Palekh's stylistic trademarks, but it does not mean that the scenes are taking place at night. Gold and aluminum paint is used to enhance life and brightness of each scene.
The box is constructed from papier-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The exterior is decorated with gold leafy patterns completed silver flowers. The lid is hinged, and the box rests on four legs. The work is signed with the artist's name, and the village of Palekh.