Vintage Palekh Russian Lacquer Box 1994 “The Feast” Signed Panin Hand Painted Miniature

Vintage Russian Palekh Lacquer Miniature Box – “The Feast” – 1994 – Signed Panin

A charming and highly detailed miniature Russian lacquer box from Palekh, dated 1994, with a traditional hand-painted figurative scene heightened with fine gold-coloured detailing.

The inscription on the front appears to read:

“ПИР” – “The Feast”
ПАЛЕХ 1994 г. – Palekh, 1994
с. ПАНИН – Panin

The apparent Panin signature is particularly interesting. The noted Palekh miniature painter Viktor Alexandrovich Panin (1926–2009) worked in the Palekh tradition and continued producing lacquer miniatures later in his career. While the inscription appears consistent with the surname Panin, I have not independently authenticated the artist attribution, and the box is therefore being offered as signed Panin rather than definitively attributed to Viktor A. Panin.

The miniature depicts a colourful traditional feast/interior scene, with two seated figures, food and vessels, architectural details and characteristic fine gold ornament against the deep black lacquer ground.

The box has the traditional appearance of a Russian lacquer miniature, with a glossy black exterior and vivid red/orange lacquered interior.

Despite measuring only approximately 5 cm, the painting contains an impressive amount of fine detail.

Dimensions:
Approx. 5 cm long × 4 cm wide × 3 cm high

Date: 1994
Origin: Palekh, Russia
Material: Lacquered papier-mâché
Decoration: Hand-painted miniature with gold-coloured detailing
Subject: “The Feast”
Signed/inscribed: Panin, Palekh 1994

Condition

Vintage condition with noticeable cracking and age-related wear to the lacquer and papier-mâché body.

There are cracks visible across areas of the painted lid together with more pronounced cracking around the side/hinge area and a crack extending from the edge of the underside. These are clearly shown in the photographs and have been taken into account when pricing the piece.

The box remains an attractive display piece and the colourful miniature retains strong visual impact.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

A fascinating small example of the Russian lacquer miniature tradition and an appealing piece for a collector of Palekh art, Russian folk art or signed lacquer boxes.