"Vasilisa the Beautiful" Russian Lacquer Box

Artist:  Vera Smirnova
Village: Palekh
Dimensions:  9" x 9" x 3"  

This masterfully painted Russian lacquer box brings to life the beloved fairy tale Vasilisa the Beautiful, with a visual narrative as rich and layered as the story itself. At the heart of the scene, Baba-Yaga stands menacingly before her enchanted hut, surrounded by twisted roots and dark forest shadows, her figure radiating power and folklore mystery. Opposite her, Vasilisa—poised and luminous in green and gold—clutches the small magical doll that has guided her through countless dangers. Both figures are rendered in striking detail, drawing the viewer’s eye immediately to their tense encounter.

Yet it’s the surrounding forest that truly captivates. Tangled trees, glowing eyes, hidden animals, and curling vines create a landscape teeming with secrets. Each time you return to the box, another hidden detail reveals itself—a perched owl here, a skull on a branch there—encouraging that inevitable whisper of “I didn’t notice that before.” The three horsemen—white, red, and black—ride at the corners, each one symbolizing the cycles of day and night, their presence helping to visually anchor the forest’s wild sprawl.

The slanted upper sides of the box continue the story, featuring Baba-Yaga in flight on her broomstick and Vasilisa with her enchanted doll. These angled panels bridge the dynamic top with the more grounded sides below. Each of the four vertical sides tells a miniature tale of its own—an owl in a crescent-lit sky, Baba-Yaga’s hut on chicken legs nestled among mushrooms, and a charming scene of Vasilisa's doll amid her completed chores, perhaps the most endearing of all.

Gold ornamentation frames every panel and dances through the composition like filigree, enhancing the atmosphere of wonder. Crafted from high-quality papier-mâché, the box features a hinged lid, sits on four small legs, and is finished in rich red lacquer within. The artist’s signature, village, title, and year of completion are inscribed on the top—hallmarks of authenticity and pride. A true museum-quality piece, both a celebration of Russian folklore and a marvel of miniature craftsmanship.