Vintage Russian Fedoskino Lacquer Box, Signed Winter Landscape, Mother of Pearl

A particularly attractive vintage Russian lacquer miniature box, painted in the Fedoskino tradition and featuring a wonderfully atmospheric winter landscape.

What immediately sets this example apart is its unusual turquoise-blue lacquer ground. Rather than the more commonly encountered black exterior, the blue forms part of the overall decoration, with a snowy Russian village landscape of traditional buildings, churches and trees continuing around the sides of the box.

One of the most striking features is the mother-of-pearl incorporated into the painted scene. Positioned beneath part of the snowy landscape, it catches the light beautifully and flashes shades of blue, green and pink as the box is moved.

The interior is finished in a rich red lacquer with black borders. Inside the lid is a further miniature winter landscape together with a hand-painted Cyrillic artist’s signature or inscription.

I have researched the signature extensively but have not been able to identify the artist with sufficient certainty to make a firm attribution. The inscription is clearly shown in the photographs so collectors can examine it for themselves.

Fedoskino lacquer miniatures are traditionally associated with naturalistic painting on papier-mâché and the use of reflective materials such as mother-of-pearl to add luminosity and depth to the painted decoration.

Approximate date: c.1980s–1990s
Origin: Russia / former USSR
Tradition: Fedoskino school/tradition
Material: Lacquered papier-mâché with mother-of-pearl detail
Dimensions: 5.5 cm × 4 cm × 4 cm
Decoration: Hand-painted winter landscape
Interior: Red and black lacquer
Signature: Artist signed/inscribed in Cyrillic, currently unidentified

Condition:
Vintage condition with age-related surface wear, fine lines/crazing and minor marks consistent with age. There is a small chip/loss to the lacquered surface on the front of the box, together with some minor wear around the edges and hinge. The chip is shown in the photographs.

The box opens and closes correctly and retains its wonderfully vibrant turquoise-blue colouring and detailed painted decoration.

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

A small but beautifully detailed piece of Russian lacquer art, particularly appealing for its unusual turquoise-blue colouring, shimmering mother-of-pearl winter landscape and artist’s signature.