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Palekh

Palekh miniature painting (Палехская миниатюра) is, among all the Russian lacquer art styles, the most delicate and the most sought after. It first appeared around 1923, and its predecessors were icon painters. Thus, during the era of Soviet Russia, Palekh was a kind of sublimated iconography. The artists are known for their smooth design, abundance of golden shading, and accurate silhouettes of flattened figures. Bright tempera paints are used over a black background. Tempera is a difficult medium in which to work and is unforgiving in its outcomes. Landscapes and architecture, and elongated proportions of the figures harken back to the icon painting traditions. All of the boxes here for sale are genuine Palekh. Each box is a unique work of art as only one single painting is made by one artist, who becomes its author. 

Here's our Palekh Box blog post!

  • Icon of St. George and the Dragon

    St. George and the Dragon [Palekh Icon] 1990s

    St George (Святой Георгий). This icon depicts The Great Martyr St. George and the Dragon (also known as the Trophy Bearer or Victory Bearer). He was a Christian Roman soldier, born in the late 3rd century in Cappadocia to a Palestinian mother. St. George...
    $120.00
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  • The Snow Maiden (Palekh 1971)

    The Snow Maiden (Palekh 1971)

    Lel and The Snow Maiden (Лель и Снегурочка). The scene is based on the opera in four acts with a prologue by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908), composed during the years 1880–1881. Alexander Ostrovsky (1823-1886) wrote the play in 1873. Pyotr...
    $300.00
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  • A fine genuine Palekh lacquer box by Yulia Germanovna Konovalova (Юлия Германовна Коновалова (Штыкова), who was born in 1956. From 1971 until 1976, she studied at the Palekh Art School and subsequently was employed in the Palekh art-production workshops through 1991.

    Encounter [Palekh] Konovalova

    Encounter (Неожиданная встреча). This small box is adorned with eight figures, seven of whom are portrayed participating in a traditional round dance, and one balalaika player. A small village hut stands to the side. The trees indicate that the season is...
    $150.00
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  • Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf [Palekh] Rybakina

    Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf [Palekh]

    Tale of Ivan Tsarevich, the Princess Elena and the Gray Wolf (Сказка об Иване Царевиче и сером волке).  A climactic scene from the highly popular Russian fairy tale that tells of the quest for the Golden Firebird. It was originally collected by the...
    $250.00
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  • The Proposal [Palekh] Kukharkina

    The Proposal [Palekh] Kukharkina

    The Proposal (Предложение). A young couple outfitted in traditional village folk clothing sit across from one another in a small wooden boat docked by the banks of the river. It is bathed in moonlight. The boy, who wears a flower crown, has picked three...
    $125.00
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  • Parochka [Palekh] Paramonova

    Parochka [Palekh] Paramonova

    The Couple (Парочка). An idyllic rendezvous by a young couple leaning against a birch branch fence  The atmosphere is casual as their gazes and gestures mirror each other, and all the while discussing a romantic future. An elegant miniature (approx...
    $95.00
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  • Tryst (Свидание). It's harvest time and the young village couple is secretly making time to see each other. Above them is a panorama of village huts. A unique dynamic and elegant miniature (approximately 1¾"x1") box is painted in the style of early 20th century Palekh artists.

    Tryst [Palekh] Ladokhina

    Tryst (Свидание). It's harvest time and this young village couple is secretly making time to see one other. Above them is a delicate panorama of village huts. A unique dynamic and elegant miniature (approximately 1¾"x1") box is painted in the...
    $110.00
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  • Duck Hunting (Утиная охота). Duck Hunting (Утиная охота). Hunting scenes in Russian art are a genre inherited from the 18th and 19th centuries. Two hunters, together with their presumably faithful hound, pursue ducks for dinner while ensconced in their small boat in the lagoon.

    Duck Hunting [Palekh]

    Duck Hunting (Утиная охота). Hunting scenes in Russian art are a genre inherited from the 18th and 19th centuries. Two hunters, together with their presumably faithful hound, pursue ducks for dinner while ensconced in their small boat in the lagoon...
    $95.00
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  • Fisherman and the Goldfish [Palekh] by Kochupalov

    Fisherman and the Goldfish [Palekh] Kochupalov

    Fisherman and the Goldfish (Сказка о рыбаке и рыбке). The old man and his wife live in impoverished circumstances. One day, while out fishing, the old man catches a golden fish, that, in return for freedom, promises to grant the old man any wish he...
    $175.00
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  • In the Garden (В саду). The young Palekh artist, Anzhelina Rustamovna Khamidova displays distinct maturity as she captures the style of an Orthodox icon in the young girl's face and outstretched hands. Anzhelina was just 23 years old when she painted this delicate tiny box.

    In the Garden [Palekh]

    In the Garden (В саду). The young Palekh artist, Anzhelina Rustamovna, displays distinct maturity as she captures the style of an Orthodox icon in the young girl's face and outstretched hands. Anzhelina was just 23 years old when she painted this...
    $110.00
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  • Boat Ride (Поездка по лодке) Papier-mache, egg tempera paints, lacquer. Detailed decorative freehand scroll border in gold. Signed by the artist in gold and dated 1990.

    A Pastoral Boat Ride [Palekh]

    Boat Ride (Поездка по лодке).  A pastoral scene of a young romatic couple on the lake sit passively in a small rowboat. All that is being said is via silence and gestures. An elegant miniature (approx. 1¾"x1") box.  Papier-mache, egg...
    $95.00
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  • Courtship (Ухаживание) Palekh Paramonova. A romantic relationship is developing with perhaps an eye towards marriage. The flirtatious young prince playfully engages his sweetheart as both grip the narrow trunk of the sapling. She coyly turns away from him. The scene is set in a clearing in the forest.

    Courtship [Palekh]

    Courtship (Ухаживание). A romantic relationship is developing with perhaps an eye towards marriage. The flirtatious young prince playfully engages his sweetheart as both grip the narrow trunk of the sapling. She coyly turns away from him. The scene is...
    $95.00
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  • Winter Troika [Palekh] Yu. Zhegalov

    Winter Troika [Palekh] Yu. Zhegalov

    Winter Troika (Зимняя Тройка) by Yury Viktorovich Zhegalov (Юрий Викторович Жегалов) (1927-1992). Born in Palekh, Yury Viktorovich studied at the Palekh Art School from 1943-1948 and, in 1951, graduated from the Moscow School of Industrial Art. From...
    $175.00
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  • An elegant lacquer box by Viktor Petrovich Krivtsov, born in 1943 in Novoaleksandrovsk, a city in the Stavropol Territory of Russia (Новоалександровский Ставропольский край).

    Troika [Palekh]

    Palekh Troika (Палехская Тройка). A classic theme of Palekh painters throughout the ages, and in Russian art in general. For those not in the know, a troika is a turn-of-the-century carriage or sleigh pulled by three horses. Palekh artists use...
    $150.00
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  • The Partisans [Palekh]

    The Partisans [Palekh]

    Partisans (Партизаны). O. Belishev (О. Белышев). Hinged papier-mache box, egg tempera paints, metallic powders, lacquer. 5" x 3" x 1¼". Some light but barely noticeable signs of use. 1 only, as shown. The partisans were members of the...
    $95.00
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