Featured Russian Lacquer Boxes

Yes, that letter at the end of "1931" is an abbreviation of the Russian word for "year." When they write a year (meaning that something is dated that year) that abbreviation generally appears after it.

 

Thanks

 

so when did russia become the USSR..?

 

Good question... the name became official in 1922. Why a box from 1931 says "Made in Russia" on the bottom is unknown to me.

 

maybe 1931 is not the date after all.....

 

I find the alligatoring unusual for the lacquer....as if it were left in a shop window...for years !

 

I'm not sure why else it would say the equivalent of "the year 1931" on it.

Perhaps at the time their laws allowed that marking for this sort of thing? Since it's written in English it was obviously a tourist or export item. I wouldn't have thought they would have had this sort of thing during Stalin's time. But don't know enough about the history of these.

 

I've been keeping my eyes out for these and finally came across one yesterday:



It's from Palekh and I believe artist signed on the right. I think I've figure out this is a scene from the russian fairy tale "Sister Alionushka". 7"x5" - anyhow thought I'd share I love these boxes!

 

looks close in manufacture to mine..!!

 

Pretty similar agree! Mine doesn't have a lip or feet on the bottom though.

 

ya ...welll......no one likes any lip....from a box !!

 

Lovely box, Aaron, and in such great condition.

You are right, it is.
http://www.artrusse.ca/fairytales/alionushka.htm

 

Ironically, when boxing, one almost always ends up with a fat lip.

 

What I'm seeing here and in the links are all gorgeous!!!! I don't have any boxes, just two round brooches/pins that my friend's sister brought back when she was working in Moscow many years ago....I love them but don't wear them often....these boxes are just so lovely!!!!!