Fedoskino artist I. Turbeneva brings the watery domain of old Tsar Morskoy, King of the Seas to life. Tsar Morskoy's eyes go wide and his mouth stretches as he reaches for the perfect note, lost in his singing. A trio of mermaids fawn behind his throne, one playing accompaniment on a balalaika, while the gusli playing mermaid has set aside her instrument to marvel at the Tsar's voice. Perhaps the Tsar is singing a lullaby to the sleepy mermaid daughter who rests her head on his chest. Her hand toys idly with the antennae of a nearby lobster wearing a golden harness and reins, while a similarly attired fish grunts jealously for attention. The scene is painted in soft, filmy tones which perfectly create the undersea wonderland. The brilliant white of the palace walls slowly deepens into the rich green blue and unexpected splashes of color of the sea floor, adding depth, while the soft swirl of the composition adds a sense of movement echoing the gentle eddies of the current. Brilliant golden accents twinkle throughout, lending a rich and magical feel. The scene is continued on two sides of the box, featuring other creatures under the Tsar's rule, including the winking eye of a droll imp hidden in the currents. This box is made of high quality papier mache and is signed on the front edge of the box with the artist's name and village. There is a hinge at the top, and the interior is red lacquer. It rests on a scalloped lip around the edge of the box.

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.)