Kholuy Lacquer Box, Russian

“A hand-painted Russian lacquer miniature box depicting a panoramic view of St Petersburg, including St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman monument, and the Peter & Paul Fortress.

The scene is finely painted on a black lacquer ground with delicate gold ornamental borders, and the interior is finished in red lacquer. The box is made in the traditional papier-mâché lacquer technique and retains its original presentation box. Likely dating from the late 20th century.

The printed text on the bottom of the retail box says ‘Шкатулка СПБ’ which translates ‘Box – St Petersburg.’ The pricing style ‘4 950 руб’ (4950 roubles with a space separating thousands) is the standard Russian retail format used after the 1998 currency re denomination.”