Authentic lacquer miniature paintings are one of the rarest and unique artworks in the world. And despite the complexity of the process, the miniature artists still paint them in the old-fashioned way. The peculiar and subtle art of Kholui lacquer miniatures incorporates the principles of Old Russian painting and folk art as a basis.
Natural materials are used to manufacture paints: minerals, pigment (for example, red clays, cadmium, Siena, volkonskoite, etc.), mixed with water, vinegar, and egg yolk.
The brushes used for painting are made of squirrel fur.
Palekh miniature artists resort to complex multi-figured compositions, where the proportions are elongated, and the style is reminiscent of iconography.
OUR LACQUER MINIATURE BOXES
✔️ 100% handmade and signed by its artist
✔️ Use of Gold leaf
✔️ Created according to the classic traditions of Palekh school
You can tell its quality by the distinctive features of the lacquer miniature art:
▪️ A general soft tone of composition, ornamental sophistication, and saturation with elements;
▪️ The picturesqueness of every detail;
▪️ A variety of color transitions;
▪️ Its Stroganov elongation and fragility of figures (inspired by the Stroganov school);
▪️ Use of gold and Gold leaf.
HOW THEY'RE MADE
There is a serial number of the semi-finished product on the lid of the item, an indication of the place (Kholui), the author's surname, and initials.
Lacquer boxes are made of high-quality pressed wood cardboard (papier-mâché) soaked in hot linseed oil.
➖ First, paper mache blocks are cut and hand-carved with chisels to form boxes.
➖ Then layers of primer consisting of linseed oil, soot, and clay are applied all over the box and left to dry.
➖ The surface of the box is coated with black oil varnish and hand-painted with egg tempera paints.
➖After months of drying, the painted lacquer boxes are further designed with gold leaf and a special addition of cherry resin.
➖ At last, the painted surface is covered with eight layers of oil-based lacquer and polished to the desired refractive index.
The Firebird Workshop guarantees the authenticity and durability of these lacquer boxes.
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About This Lacquer box
⚜️ Art: "Снегурочка" (Snow Maiden)
Fairy tale "Snow Maiden" is painted on the lacquer box. Snow Maiden is very beautiful and often depicted with snow-white skin, deep sky-blue eyes and curly fair hair. She is known as "Snegurochka" in Russian - "sneg" being the Russian word for snow. She is the daughter of the immortal Gods, Father Frost and Mother Spring.
⚜️ Art style: Kholui Lacquer Miniature painting with gold and egg tempera
⚜️ Size: h = 11.5cm / 4.5", w = 10cm / 3.9", d = 4cm / 1.5".
⚜️ Made for: Art collectors and people with a taste for Russian folk art.
They're also for storing expensive trinkets. These Black Russian lacquer boxes are the perfect ornate jewelry box for every sophisticated woman.
