Show all images on one page	#007652 Title: Scarlet Flower/Beauty and the Beast Artist: Zhiryakov Alexey Size: 18.5x18.5x24.5 Size (inches): 7.25x7.25x9.75 Price : $8750 SOLD!

This large five-sided (or nine-sided if count four small sides of the base)casket was painted by a well-known palekh master, Zhiryakov Alexey. The sentiment within is dramatic, this artistry exudes love and the romantic intention associated with it. The theme is the classic tale "Beauty and the Beast" (its Russian version "Scarlet Flower" you can read on our website). This tale tells about a beautiful girl who loves a horrible beast with all her heart for his kindness and devotion. In the end of this tale the beast turns into a handsome Prince and marries his sweetheart.
Here the artist depicts several scenes from this romantic tale. The first side the casket shows the moment of the tale when a merchant has brought from the foreign countries fashionable attire and jewelry to older daughers, whereas the youngest daughter got her a beautiful flower. Father didn't know that it is the favorite flower of a horrible beast who is the ruler of the land where the merchant is on a visit. So, he becomes the beast's prisoner, but his beloved youngest daughter decides to take his place. Then we can see an episode when the elder sisters think how they can prevent their youngest sister from returning to the beast's kingdom. On the top we can see a scene shows the dying beast and the merchant's youngest daughter who swears that she loves the beast. And on the last composition we can see the wedding of the beast turned into the handsome Prince and the merchant's daughter.
The composition is very bright and festive. Soothing greens, passionate reds, cool blues and a refreshing purple tone take up the majority of the sketching. The characters clothes are thoroughly contoured and richly decorated with bright gold paint. This builds radiance and texture, both at the same time.
The box is made out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the casket. Elegant gold ornamentation decorates the sides of the base of casket; this base also has painting showing the ships on which merchant has traveled to the far lands. The casket isn't hinged and rests on the four legs. The is signed with the artist's name, village and year (2014).