A small crowd gathers as a fisherman wrestles an enormous fish onto the grassy shore. Zotov's fascinating blend of realism and stylization add a vibrant quality to the figures. Each is meticulously painted, with believable expressions giving each a distinct personality. The softly swirling white and blue background creates an intimate feeling. Thoughtfully placed golden accents harmonize with the fish's mother of pearl body. An scintillating fan of abalone ripples along the side of the box, along with two organically shaped outcrops of papier mache, calling to mind a subtle fish shape. Upon opening the box, one finds a tiny mother of pearl fish nestled into the red lacquer interior. This box is made of high quality papier mache and is signed on the side with the title, and the artist's name (S. Zotov) on the mother of pearl "fin". There is a hinge at the top. The base of this piece is flush. A stunning marriage of traditional and modern.--BOX1029

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	9.5

(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.)