Cherry blossoms pierce the hazy dawn outside a tea house window, while screens of delicate bamboo filter the light, casting a rosy glow upon the blue eyed beauty within. The golden brazier sends up a plume of shimmering smoke which wraps the maiden in a sinuous embrace. A pair of teacups serves as an invitation to join her, while the fat teapot promises warmth. the scene is beautifully pained in a lovely blend of realism and soft watercolor effects. Thoughtfully placed gold foil and mother of pearl add an elegant sheen. Great care has been paid to detail, with subtle uses of texture and depth drawing the eye again and again. The oriental motif is enhanced by Shelukhin's signature Art Nouveau style, giving a timeless feel. The base of the box is adorned with an oval of softly marbled peach, ringed with gold. This box is made of high quality papier mache and is signed on the lid with the artist's name (Mikhail Shelukhin), village, and date of completion. There is a hinge at the top, and the interior is red lacquer.

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.)