Morozko (Old Man Winter) himself showers the humble peasant girl with gold as a reward for her selflessness and good manners. It seems the girl is not the only one who is awe-struck at Morozko's generosity; the grotesquely gnarled faces of a bevy of tree sprites lurking in tangles of roots are filled with surprise. In the darkened forest behind Morozko lurk some of its more intimidating denizens. Owls, bats, and great horned stags keep their distance from the clearing, which is filled with golden light and friendly creatures. Under Morozko's watchful eye, birds serenade his young guest, while a fox and squirrel cavort with a trio of hares. The girl's father races from the darkened village in his sleigh, unable to follow his cruel wife's orders any longer. He returns with his daughter by his side, dressed in clothing fit for a Tsarina.(To read the whole fairy tale, click here.) The scene is beautifully painted in a bold, iconographic style. The rich olive, red and gold of the scene adds an elegant feel, while thoughtfully placed golden accents draw the eye through the scene. The sides are adorned with an elaborate gold and silver border punctuated with delightful vignettes of the forest creatures.This box is made of high quality papier mache and is signed on the lid with the title, artist's name, and village, and on its base with the same, plus the materials used. There is a hinge at the top, and the interior is red lacquer. It stands on four round legs. A magnificent interpretation of a favorite story by A. Shirokov.--BOX1054

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.)