Show all images on one page	#002017 Title: Vasilisa the Beautiful Artist: Tikhomirov Valentin Size: 24x17.5x6 Size (inches): 9.5x7x2.25 Price : $880 SOLD!

This alluring addition to any collection, especially ones based in fairy-tale, was created by the talented Valentin Tikhomirov of Mstera. Colorful action and luxurious decoration dominate the presentation. The box has great storybook appeal.
The box features scenes, from the tale "Vasilisa the Beautiful. The left part of the box displays the girl's cruel stepmother sending her to the forest to ask Baba-Yaga to give her work. It is the stepmother's pretext, in fact she wants Baba-Yaga to kill the girl. The box's central scene shows the moment of the tale when Vasilisa meets Baba-Yaga and three riders: the Red Sun Rider, the Dark Night Rider, and the Bright Day Rider.

"Suddenly a horseman rides,
A horseman all in red,
His steed is red,
This is the Red Sun,
The red Sun
Is rising...

The left part of the box depicts the happy end of the tale. The handsome Prince offers the girl his hand and heart and invites her in his marvelous palace.
The deep blue background sky within the composition really brings out the other colors and it also enhances the texture of the trees. The characters are simple but very well executed.
The decorative elements of the presentation have been offered as some of Tikhomirov's best work. He's created a Byzantine band of ornamentation that frames the lid's artistry and it also decorates all four base sides. These designs appear palace worthy, they are that well planned and executed.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while bright red lacquer completes the interior of the work. A hinge has been fastened to the top of the composition to be used for ease of opening, the box rests on a four legs. The work is signed with the artist's name, the village of Mstera and the title ("Vasilisa the Beautiful") at the bottom of the composition in gold paints.