Vintage Russian Kholuy Lacquer Box “The Meeting” Hand Painted Folk Art 8cm

Vintage Russian Kholuy Lacquer Box – “The Meeting”

A charming vintage Russian lacquer box decorated with a colourful traditional winter scene depicting a young couple meeting against a snowy village backdrop.

The front is inscribed in Cyrillic:

Холуй “Встреча”

which translates as Kholuy “The Meeting”.

The miniature is beautifully executed in vivid reds, blues, greens and gold tones against the traditional glossy black ground, surrounded by delicate gold scrollwork. The unusual arched form is particularly attractive and gives the box considerable presence despite its compact size.

The interior is finished in the characteristic rich red associated with Russian lacquerware, contrasting beautifully with the black exterior.

Kholuy is one of the historic Russian centres associated with miniature lacquer painting, alongside Palekh, Fedoskino and Mstera. These decorative boxes developed from the traditions of Russian icon painting and became particularly celebrated during the Soviet period.

Dimensions:
Approx. 8 cm high × 7 cm wide × 4 cm deep

Condition:
Good vintage condition overall with light surface wear consistent with age and previous use. There is some old label/sticker residue and associated wear to the underside, as shown in the photographs. The painted decoration remains bright and attractive. Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.

A lovely collectible example of Russian decorative folk art and an attractive addition to a collection of Kholuy, Palekh, Fedoskino or other Russian lacquer miniatures.