The Snow Maiden cradles a tiny bird in her delicate hands on this box from Kholui. Her gentle face is as fair as the drifting banks around her, and her lips the vibrant red of winter berries. The soft tones of the scene create a feminine feel, while remaining truthful to nature. The soft curves of the foliage gently draw the eye inward, and creat a sense of movement. The body of the box is a deep midnight blue, maintaining the softness of the piece. There is a small flaw in the lacquer, which appears to have been caused by tiny air bubbles, on the bottom edge of the lid, but this does not effect the scene, nor does it appear to compromise the integrity of the box. This box is made of high quality papier mache and is signed on the lid with the title, artist's name (M. Belova), and village. There is no hinge, and the interior is red lacquer. The base of this piece is flush. An enchanting work.

Lacquerbox Condition Ratings

Surface Condition (exterior)	Surface Condition (interior/bottom)	Box Materials and Soundness	Hinge and Lid Placement	Signature	Total Rating	Mother-of-pearl Condition
9.5	9.5	10.0	10.0	10.0	49	N/A

(Each category rated 1-10. For low scores, look for explanation in the description of box. In general, any total rating over 40 is excellent. For more information on rating system, click here.)