Extremely fine detailed design.
Handwork, tempera colors, gold
Handwork, tempera colors, gold
Exclusive Russian lacquered Palekh boxes have captivated celebrities like Madonna and Elton John, who both appreciate their uniqueness and use in everyday life for their jewelry.
The base is papier-mâché, not wood.
Why? Wood "breathes"—expanding with moisture and ruining the painting.
Papier-mâché, however, retains its shape for centuries.
Why? Wood "breathes"—expanding with moisture and ruining the painting.
Papier-mâché, however, retains its shape for centuries.
How Are These Boxes Made?
The exterior of the boxes is usually black, while the interior is bright red.
Artists paint with tempera on an egg emulsion, just like in ancient icons.
The painters use pure colors: red, yellow, blue, and green.
Artists paint with tempera on an egg emulsion, just like in ancient icons.
The painters use pure colors: red, yellow, blue, and green.
Precision Work
- Each layer of paint and lacquer is dried in an oven. The final coating consists of 10 layers of lacquer, polished with pumice after each application.
- Artists make their own brushes from squirrel hair, and the tiniest details are painted under a magnifying glass using a single hair! Each master has a unique style, so even identical subjects look distinct.
- A special art form is gold leafing. Palekh masters are famous for their intricate golden ornaments.
Worldwide Fame
Every box is signed with the village name, year, and the artist’s name. Today, these miniatures are kept in museums and private collections worldwide, while exhibitions and catalogs continue to grow their popularity.
What is painted on the boxes?
Usually, these are floral motifs, patterns, as well as scenes from the life of the Russian people—and, of course, heroes of fairy tales, epics, and legends. Each piece reveals a whole hidden story—the story of the craftsman, the story of the design, the story of the people. And we want to share these beautiful hidden stories with you.