Palekh Russian Lacquer Boxes

Russian lacquer miniatures from the village and art school in Palekh, Russia are coveted by collectors of quality Russian folk art. The Lacquer boxes from the Palekh school are especially appreciated and collected in Europe, as well as the US and throughout the world. Differing especially from Fedoskino lacquer boxes, the art of Palekh is typically painted in a more Byzantine style, after the training and art of the Russian orthodox church. Primary colors are red, black, green and gold, and fine faces and icon-like figures are easily seen as influenced by the church. As all authentic Russian lacquer miniatures, Palekh lacquer art is created one at a time by artists graduating from the village school on a paper mâché box, each signed by the artist. Much like the icon painters before them, these lacquered boxes are painted with egg tempera, and often guided with real powdered gold! Today's artists do paint wonderful icons on lacquer boxes, but also specialized in Russian fairy tale scenes, Russian troikas, and traditional Russian peasant scenes.