Show all images on one page	#004860 Title: Babushka's Chest Artist: Minaeva Marina Size: 7x7x3.5 Size (inches): 2.75x2.75x1.25 Price : $350 SOLD!

This small box was painted by Fedoskino artist M. Minaeva. The composition shows a young girl admiring a necklace. She has opened her grandmother's secret malachite jewelry box. Babushka has accumulated numerous treasures from over the years. Some were purchased at the Yarmarka fair, some were passed on from the bygone era of grand grand parents. In old times boxes like this one served as dressing tables where girls kept their treasures and cosmetics.
The composition is painted in bright red, green and olive tones against the black background. Gold metallic powder is used here as the underlying level below the colored oils. This creates an enhanced, shimmering light that is extremely difficult to produce. An imaginary light source that is very real. The girl's kokoshnik and her dress are all illuminated from within. More luminescence is achieved by applying metallic gold leaf. With the help of it the jewelry inside the box are illuminated with the brilliant gold light. The effect is particularly dramatic because of the black background.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. A hinge is fastened to the top of the composition. The box rests on a flat bottom. It is signed with the name of the artist, village and year (1998). A fine traditional work!