The fairy tale depicted on this box is a flipped counterpart to the better known in the US "The Princess and the Frog". In this version the repugnant frog is to be turned into a beautiful princess, but only after her prince manages to kill the terrible creature holding her hostage. For now, however, prince Ivan is portrayed with a dismayed face at the sight of the "maid" he is to be wedded to. The porous creature, on the other hand, has a content, almost sly smile on her countenance. Ivan's belt and parts of his bow echo Vasilisa's bright green coat, while the circle of light both highlight her importance in the scene and remind of her transformative essence. The colorful scene stands out beautifully against a classic black background, and the tiny pink flowers growing around Ivan add a lovely nuance to it.
This darling little box is made from high quality papier mache. It has a red interior, sits flat with no legs, and has no hinge. There is no ornament around the composition or sides of the box. The lacquer is in good condition. The bottom of the painting is signed with the name of the village, year, and artist's signature.