The fearsome witch Baba Yaga rears up from the dark forest, startling Vasilisa the Beautiful. Sent into the forest on what her stepmother thought would be a fatal errand to find a light, Vasilisa has braved the dangers of nature only to find an earthly light source in the glowing eye sockets of enchanted skulls topping Baba Yaga's fence. Baba Yaga agrees that Vasilisa may take one of the skulls if she performs a series of seemingly impossible chores. If the girl fails, she is doomed to be the witch's supper. The central scene has a spiral composition, adding a strong sense of movement and energy. The dark background full of Baba Yaga's bat and owl minions seems to lurch towards the girl, while Vasilisa's brightly colored clothing and pale bird helpers seem to pierce the gloom, bringing the tale of innocence and purity overcoming evil to life. A trio of horsemen personifying dusk, dawn, and twilight soar over the pair, their impartial passage symbolizing the need to find strength within oneself to overcome life's trials, even as the horsemen themselves symbolize Vasilisa's growth and resourcefulness through the course of the tale. Woodland creatures peer from the brush in a wide border which traces Vasilisa's progress from innocence and fear as she begins her journey to her return to the cottage wielding the magical skull beneath storm clouds as she finds the courage to stand up to her stepmother. The scene is nicely painted in lush, dramatic tones, with bits of the tale written in Cyrillic scattered throughout. This box by E. Khromov is made of high quality papier mache and is signed on the lid with the title, artist's name, and village. There is a hinge at the top, and the interior is deep red lacquer. It stands on four curved legs. A powerful work.

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.)