Vtg Palekh Lacquer Box Frog Princess Sign Korolev N.N. Stalin Prize Artist USSR

Artist: Nikolay Nikolayevich Korolev (1902–1965) Origin: Palekh, USSR Subject: "The Frog Princess" (Russian Folk Tale) Technique: Egg Tempera, 24k Gold Leaf, Hand-painted over Papier-mâché Item Description: This exquisite lacquer box is a museum-quality example of the Soviet "Golden Era" of Palekh miniature painting. The lid features the iconic scene from the Russian fairy tale The Frog Princess , depicting Ivan Tsarevich discovering the frog with his arrow in the marsh. The artwork is signed by the renowned master Nikolay Nikolayevich Korolev (N.N. Korolev) . Unlike more common late-Soviet pieces, this box is the work of a "founding father" of the Palekh style. N.N. Korolev was a prestigious Stalin Prize laureate (1949) and a master of the original Palekh Artel, known for preserving the delicate icon-painting traditions in secular lacquer art. Artistic Features: Masterful Detail: Notice the intricate "probela" (fine gold hatching) on Ivan’s garments and the delicate, iconographic treatment of the landscape. Authentic Technique: Painted using traditional egg tempera with multi-layered lacquer, resulting in the characteristic depth and glow unique to authentic Palekh. Calligraphy: The bottom of the lid bears the authentic hand-painted gold signature: "The Frog Princess. Palekh. Korolev N.N." Condition: The box is in very good vintage condition. It displays a natural network of fine cracks in the lacquer (craquelure), which is a testament to its significant age and authenticity. The interior is finished in the classic Soviet-era cinnabar red lacquer. Investment Value: Works by N.N. Korolev are highly sought after by serious collectors of Russian folk art. As a piece by a high-ranking Soviet artist of the mid-20th century, this box represents not only a beautiful decorative object but a significant historical artifact of the Palekh school.