Show all images on one page	#002359 Title: Lutonyushka Artist: Moshkovich Vladimir Kapelievich Size: 10x8.5x8.5 Size (inches): 4x3x3 Price : $1450 SOLD!

This box has been created by the famous Mstera artist Vladimir Moshkovich. The theme is based on the Russian folk fairy-tale "Lutonyushka" that is rarely chosen by lacquer miniature artists as a subject for their creations. Each scene is accompanied by the inscription written in gold paints - it is an extract from the fairy-tale that corresponds to the depicted image.
The tale "Lutonushka" tells about the clever lad who was astonished by foolishness of people. At first he was disappointed by stupidity of his own parents when they started to cry for no reason whatever. "If our son, Lutonyushka, got married, if his young wife gave birth to a child, if this child bruised himself, what we would do...?! - they lamented bitterly. Lutonyushka was so amazed by these silly words that decided to leave the house of his parents. The inscription that wraps around the sides of the composition can be translated as "My dear mother, - says Lutonyushka, - Goodbye! I'm leaving our house; if I find anyone who is sillier than you are, I'll come back otherwise don't wait for my return!" Here the artist has also written Mstera, the title, and his name.
The scene painted on the box's left side shows the episode when Lutonyushka helped the peasants to feed the cow. He was very surprised when he saw the peasants trying to carry the cow on the roof. "The roof is covered with fresh green grass!" - explained the peasants. Lutonyushka climbed on the roof, cut off the grass with his knife, and threw the grass before the cow. The inscription written above the scene can be translated as "Why are you dragging the cow on the roof?" "Look! What a fresh green grass grows there!"
The scene painted on the box's right corner describes the moment of the story when Lutonyushka taught the peasants whom he met later how to harness the horse. Here we can see the peasants who try to drive the horse in the horse collar tied to the gates. The inscription written above the scene can be translated as "What are you doing?" "We want to harness the horse!"
The scene painted on the box's front side displays how Lutonyushka taught the peasants to cut wheat. The inscription written above the scene can be translated as "Remember! You should sheaf the wheat!".
The scene painted on the box's rear side features how Lutonyushka taught the peasants to count themselves. The inscription written above the scene can be translated as "When you are counting, you don't count yourself, it's your mistake!"
The scenes are painted in yellow and brown tones with minor additions of green, red and blue. Each scene is framed with a gold line, and then decorated with the gold floral pattern. The gold floral pattern also can be found on the box's legs. The bottom border of the box is adorned with gold beads.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while a radiant red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The box has a hinge above the scene on the lid and rests on four carved feet.