A miniature box for miniature artwork! Stands mere 32 mm tall with the lid on, 53 mm in diameter. Wood, oil paints, lacquer. The imagery is painted on the lid against pitch-black background, traditional for Russian folk-art miniature. The inside is in warm carmine lacquer, also typical for this art genre and tradition. The bottom features "Made in USSR" tag in gold cursive lettering. This is, in effect, a Quality Control mark indicating that the box met the stringent quality requirements for export products. Those requirements were usually much higher than th

A miniature box for miniature artwork! Stands mere 32 mm tall with the lid on, 53 mm in diameter. Wood, oil paints, lacquer. The imagery is painted on the lid against pitch-black background, traditional for Russian folk-art miniature. The inside is in warm carmine lacquer, also typical for this art genre and tradition. The bottom features "Made in USSR" tag in gold cursive lettering. This is, in effect, a Quality Control mark indicating that the box met the stringent quality requirements for export products. Those requirements were usually much higher than those for the internal market.

The box is in excellent condition. There are 2 tiny white scuffs to the black lacquer at the edge of the foot, noticeable only upon close inspection, otherwise practically invisible and certainly not detractive. There is no other wear or damage of any kind visible to the naked eye.

Mstera miniature originated in the village of Mstera in Vladimir Region in central Russia. Mstera artists specialized in iconography in the 14th century but by the middle of the 18th century changing economic conditions triggered expansion into what they called "little pieces": small icons with miniature imagery and many details. The Soviet Power put an end to the icons market and the artists of Mstera switched to secular themes.

Please note that the penny in our photo is for size reference.
$40.00  Add to cart