What is a Russian lacquer box?
What is a Russian lacquer box?
Russian lacquer boxes are among the most beautiful and distinctive of that country’s art achievements in the 20th century. The boxes feature intricately hand-drawn miniature paintings based on a variety of themes, including fairy tales, poems, country life, troikas, landscapes, battle scenes, and old art masterpieces.
What are Russian lacquer boxes made from?
Russian lacquer boxes are made from papier-mache, layers of cardboard glued together and tightly compressed. When it is still wet, the papier-mache is pressed into shapes for making boxes: flat panels and curved pieces.
How do you identify Russian lacquer boxes?
The box should not have seams that show. Look for a grid pattern on the bottom or sides of the box that indicates a machine pressed argalite box. Examine the painting with a magnifying glass to identify “cutouts,” and the many tiny “dots” that make up a photo decoupage. Look for any cracks in the lacquer.
What is a Palekh box?
Palekh Lacquer Boxes Painted with bright colors and underlayment of gold and silver distinguished these artists, representing many of the iconic styles of earlier paintings. Our journey took us to the village of PALEKH, which is probably the most recognizable name in Russian Lacquer Boxes.
What is a Russian box?
Each Russia Box contains 1 or 2 large items, 5 to 10 small to medium snack items and 1 genuine cultural item. Lifestyle items may include traditional Russian and Eastern European Arts & Crafts, Figurines, Games, Souvenirs, Dishware, Tea Accessories, Matreshkas, Ghzel, Khokhlama, etc.
How can you tell if lacquer is plastic?
If you have a magnifying glass look for a ‘grain’ pattern in any cuts that run diagonally from the surface down, because real cinnabar is made up of layers of lacquer built up one on top of the other. Signs of plastic are moulding lines, lack of toolmarks, bubbles in the decoration.
How do you clean old lacquer boxes?
To remove dust, use a soft brush such as a hake brush. It is safe to use a very slightly damp, soft cloth to further clean lacquer. Never immerse in water. Also, do not use commercial products such as Pledge or Endust, which may permanently ruin the lacquer finish.
What is a lacquered surface?
Lacquer. Lacquer provides the extremely intense gloss finish often used on many Asian-inspired or ultramodern furnishings. It is extremely durable and resistant to damage, however over time it can begin to discolor and become scratched.
What is lacquer used for in art?
Lacquer had been used since the Shang dynasty (1384-1111 BCE) for decoration and preservation of wooden objects. By the Han dynasty decoration had become more intricate. Lacquer painting is sometimes used for decoration of wooden objects such as the traditional “Chinese candy box”.
What is the use of lacquer?
Lacquer is a modern wood finish that is commonly used on high end furniture. It is fast drying, impervious to water, and maintains its transparency as it ages. Lacquer finishes are popular because they don’t yellow with age, protect well against liquids, and require very little maintenance.
Where can I buy a Russian lacquer box?
As a result, many Russian boxes are now being produced by untrained people using inferior materials such as wood, poured acrylic, or pressed sawdust-board called argalite. These imitation lacquer miniatures are being sold on the streets of Russia and through venues like eBay.
What are the four centers of Russian lacquer painting?
Each of the four traditional centers of Russian lacquer miniature painting has a school that trains its artists passing on traditions and techniques that result in a distinct “village” style.
What makes a Russian lacquer box sound different?
Take the time to handle a few authentic boxes and you will learn to feel the difference. ** see Note. Sound: Tap the bottom of the box with a fingernail or tap the lid gently closed. Wood boxes sound “sharp” or “harsh,” and plastic or argalite also gives off a louder “click” when tapped.
Where are the marks on a lacquer box?
Marks and Signatures: Certain customs have developed in each of the four centers of lacquer miniature production related to identification. In Fedoskino the village name is normally written at the left or center lower margin of the painting with the year of completion next to it. In the right lower margin is the artist’s signature.