Show all images on one page	#001683 Title: Moscow's views- from Ancient to Modern Artist: Strunin Mikhail Size: 24.5x18.5x21.5 Size (inches): 9.5x7.25x8.5 Price : $1450 SOLD!

This large box was painted by Mikhail Strunin from the village of Mstera. It is dedicated to Moscow, which is the capital of Russia. The artist has done tremendous work to paint it as it consists of nine scrupulously painted compositions. So, the whole surface of the box is covered with splendid architectural landscapes featuring different sights of Moscow. The lid shows five compositions. One of them painted on the lid's top features the modern Moscow Kremlin from the side of the Big Stone Bridge. The lid's sides depict four different compositions that repeat the old lithographs painted by unknown artists. The first one (it shows ladies and gentlemen strolling along the stone platform) was painted in 1797; and it depicts the view of Zamoskvorechye (the old Moscow region) from the side of Moscow Kremlin. The second one (it shows several boats floating on the river and two bridges) combines two lithographs. One of them was painted in 1797. It shows the Yauzsky Bridge (named after the river of Yauza). It is depicted from the left of the composition. The other one shows the Moskvoretsky Bridge (named after the old Moscow region called "Moskvorechye"). Painted in 1790 it is depicted from the right of the composition. The third lithograph where the fountain is painted features the Lubyanskaya Square. It was painted in 1790. The fourth one repeats the lithography painted in 1850 features the Strastnaya Square.
The box's four sides show four miniatures. The first one shows the view of the St. Basil's Cathedral and the Red Square. Here we also can see the Tsar Bell, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky who fought with Polish invaders, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, some the Kremlin's red bricked towers and white stone cathedrals. The second one depicts the Cathedral of Christ the Savior that was rebuilt several years ago on the place of the cathedral destroyed during the communist era. The third composition shows the Novodevichy Convent and the fourth one shows the Borodinsky Bridge.
The box is painted in the traditional for Mstera School palette filled with soft blues, greens, yellows browns and reds. The architecture is skillfully detailed with metal gold paint.
Each composition is titled and framed with elaborate gold floral patterns and gold lines.
The box is made out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The lid isn't hinged, and the box rests on four legs. This magnificent work is worth exhibiting in any museum. It is signed with the name of the artist, the village of Mstera, and the year of 2005.