This box called "The Debate (Day and Night)" features these two allegorical figures in what seems to be a heated discussion taking place in the clouds. Their arrows are sharp, their looks are intense. The angel near "Day" points his finger toward the darker trio, as if to say "I wouldn't trust them at all". "Day", in fact, bears a strong resemblance to Jesus himself. But whether taken on a religious or a purely symbolic level, the art work in this piece is nothing short of sensational. The artist, Alekey Kochupalov, is one of the most talented of all Palekh painters, and he has gained much notoriety through the years because of his skill. The faces of the five people are especially compelling. "Day" and the angel have slightly more rounded features with halos and non-threatening crowns, while the faces of the darker side are slightly more angular and sharp, and they wear headgear which looks like they are preparing for war. Who will win the battle of these titans? It looks to be three against two at this point, but one knows to never dismiss the forces of good. Kochupalov also paints all the clothing and armor exceptionally well throughout using hundreds of skillfully placed fine gold and silver lines to define the contours and shapes. The box has two nicely done ornaments, one framing the painting and one which adorns the side. The box is made out of high quality papier mache and has a hinge at the top. It rests on four small round legs. The inside is traditional red. Signed at the bottom of the composition with the name of the artist, village, title and year. An exceptional piece.

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.)