"Cinderella at the Hearth" lacquer box

Artist: Vera Smirnova
Village: Palekh
Dimensions: 2.75" x 2.75" x 1.5"

In this exquisite lacquer box, Palekh master Vera Smirnova reimagines a classic moment from the tale of Cinderella, just before magic transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Amid sacks of grain and simple earthenware, the young Cinderella toils by the fire, stirring a bowl with quiet resolve. The rustic warmth of the cottage is rendered in rich, earth-toned detail—woven baskets, a watchful cat, drying linens, and ivy creeping in through the open window.

Suddenly, the air seems to shimmer: her fairy godmother appears in a swirl of golden robes and delicate filigree, radiating enchantment. She gestures toward a spinning wheel—here symbolic not just of domestic life, but of transformation and destiny. Smirnova’s delicate brushwork captures the surreal beauty of this pivotal moment, balancing realism with fairy-tale magic.

Gilded floral motifs wrap around the sides of the box, echoing the grace of the central image. Signed and dated by the artist, this 2020 work is a captivating example of how traditional Palekh miniature painting can bring timeless stories vividly to life.