The baroque wooden spires of a boyar's castle seem to graze the cloud strewn sky from their hilltop perch. The rolling fields and thick forests, which are located in the vicinity of old Moscow (according to subtitle of the work) surround the castle in the valley below. A cluster of tiny cottages huddle empty in the shadow of the palace as their minute inhabitants go about their work as servants. A figure in a long robe, perhaps the boyar himself, waits at the open doorway for a woman and small child to make their way up the winding path as a feminine form peeks from an adjacent window. The scene is beautifully painted, with a wealth of detail. Tasteful metallic accents add glimmering life to the shadows. Painterly skill creates a dramatic effect of light and dark, most noticeably in the approaching storm beyond the castle. This box is made of high quality papier mache and is signed on the lid with the artist's name, and date of completion. There is a hinge at the top, and the interior is red lacquer. The base of this piece is flush. A very impressive and magical looking piece by D. Tipyakov. --BOX1086

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.)