This dazzling box tells the tale of a hunter who caught a bird which was really an enchanted princess and became his wife. Impressed by the beauty of the hunter's wife, the Tsar tries to claim her for himself by sending her husband on impossible missions to be completed on pain of death. Luckily for the hunter, his wife not only loves him, but knows magic, and helps him complete each task. In desperation, the Tsar sends his general to the hut of Baba Yaga for help and is advised to order the hunter to "go I know not where and fetch I know not
what." The hunter's wife has no quick answer for this task, and sends her husband off with magical gifts to help on his journey. After some help from his in-laws, the hunter completes his quest and returns,
only to find that the Tsar has been harassing his wife! With his friends from the journey, the hunter overthrows the Tsar, who now lives with his unmarriagable daughter and slimy general in a swamp-side hovel while the hunter and his wife live in the
palace as king and queen. The lid has our hero astride a frog, leaping flames as he completes his final mission, while the front and rear panels show the fate of each family; the new king and queen feasting
merrily, and the old Tsar being berated by his daughter because no one will marry her now! The sides are adorned with the happy couple's cottage, once with a kind spirit watching over the house, and again
with the beautiful wife biding her time until her husband's return. Around the scenes is a tangle of glittering gold accented forest brimming with birds. This box is made of high quality papier mache and
is signed on the base with the title, artists' names, and village. There is a hinge at the top, and the interior is red lacquer. It rests on four round legs. Another version of this scene by the same artists is featured in the book "Russian Lacquer Miniatures".

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.)