#004885 Sale! Title: Thumbelina Artist: Molodkin Daniil Size: 16.5x8x3.5 Size (inches): 6.5x3.25x1.25 Price: $795 $650

This marvelous box that depicts a scene from Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale “Thumbelina” is a creation of talented Mstera master Daniil Molodkin. Fantastic color, exquisite design and a divine imagination announce this artist as one of the more unique when it comes to Russian lacquer artistry.
The box shows the moment when Thumbelina has found a shelter from autumn cold in the house of the meadow mouse. The mouse has opened the door of her house holding the lamp with a glowworm sitting inside, and invites Thumbelina to enter.
Using the bright and varied colors he loves, Daniil Molodkin has brought a colorful scene to this rectangular lacquer box. The foreground is filled with greens and earthen tones, whereas the night sky at the background is painted in deep blue tempera pains. Gold paint is used to detail the plants drawn in the foreground and also to paint the stars in the sky. The application of the gold is very well done, and only enhances the flair of the box without overpowering the eye.
The composition itself is framed with a line of gold paint, and is the lid is then decorated with intricate gold scrollwork. The sides are ornamented with gold floral designs.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to complete the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The lid is hinged at the top and the box rests on four legs. The work is signed with the artist's name, Mstera and the title on the box's exterior bottom.