Russian Laquer Boxes

Historical / Cultural Significance

Laquer boxes originated in late 18th Century village of Danikovo, close to Moscow. In ancient times, Russian artists who made elaborate icon paintings for Russian churches branched off and began miniature boxes,jewellery, and panals. For many years, the secret was handed down from father to son. The neighbouring villages, (Fedoskino, Palekh, Kholui, Mstera) adapted the custom in the mid 19th Century, and it still thrives there today. It is quite difficult to find an "authentic" version of a particular tale because tales and legends are handed down from generation to generation. All compositions are individually hand painted and may take up to one year or more to complete.

These breathtaking, intricate miniatures depict the Russian heritage and customs. Each village has a slightly different style, but some universal themes depict untold numbers of fairy tales and legends. Today's young masters study the ancient art forms, and try to learn the deep meanings and the mystery of the beauty of color and the expressiveness of line.

Principles and Elements of Design

Complicated and intricate patterns. Linear patterns. Shapes are two-dimensional, positive organic shapes. Artist paints on 3D laquer box. Dominent colors are gold and red, blues and greens. Colors vary in intensity from rich and brilliant to soft and translucent. A wide range of values to depict realistic or fantasy forms and shapes. The real texture is extremely smooth. There is endless implies texture (velvet, cobblestone, water, etc.) throughout the paintings. Many perspectives create the feeling of actual depth.

Construction

Thin sheets of cardboard are glued together and shaped into various forms (rectangular, square, circular, and cylindrical). When dry, placed in linseed oil bath for 20-25 minutes. Dry in oven for 30 days. Once tops are joined, then each box is covered with three layers of black paint (each layer dries in oven for one day) then is cleaned and polished. The outside is covered with 2-3 coats of black laquer, inside covered with 2-3 coats of red laquer. Then the box is covered with several coats of clear laquer (dry after each coat).

Painting