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This item is a new Russian lacquer box by world famous artist Natalia Leonova. This gorgeous depiction of a running Thoroughbred is reminiscent of Secretariat or some other favorite racehorse! Gold leaf and translucent paints create a shimmering chestnut coat which glimmers in the light, just as a live colt would glisten in the sun! The details in the horse are simply amazing, as Ms. Leonova has incredible talent in capturing the beauty of horses in miniature. The horse is painted on a genuine Fedoskino papier mache box made in the centuries' old Russian tradition and of the highest, museum-grade quality.

Ms. Leonova's original artwork is executed in oil paints in multi-layer techniques, with a layer of lacquer between each layer of painting. Once completed, the box is lacquered again 10 times and polished and dried in an oven after each layer. The process takes several weeks to complete. As the box is turned in the light, new details come to life. The depth of detail, down to the horse's sinews, is absolutely stunning.

The box measures 4 1/4 inches wide, 2 1/2 inches deep, and 7/8 inches tall. It is signed by the artist (in Russian) and dated 2007.

Image copyrighted by Ms. Leonova and Hansa Traders. Thank you! (Shipping costs include insurance.)

About the artist: Ms. Leonova’s work is a must for any serious collector of top quality Russian lacquer miniature. She is the top artist of horses in Russia, and one of the best in the world. Her work absolutely astounds. Many of her boxes are in the collection of the Fedoskino Factory Museum in Fedoskino, Russia, and the Arts and Crafts Museum in Moscow. Ms. Leonova is a graduate of the Fedoskino School of Miniature Art and has been the art director at the Fedoskino Factory. She took me on a tour of the factory this winter, where she introduced me to several artists and artisans; it was a memorable and fascinating day. (When we entered the room where artists were working, one happened to be painting a copy of Natalia’s famous work, ‘Snowstorm.’ As we watched them work, Natalia gave the artists creative ideas to enhance the boxes which they were painting.)

Ms. Leonova has created boxes for many heads of state. These have included state gifts such as her masterpiece “Troikas,” which was presented to President Reagan by Mikhael Gorbachev on his first U.S. visit. When President and Mrs. Reagan visited Moscow, they were given a decorative lacquer chest created by Natalia. Her boxes, panels and chests have been presented as diplomatic gifts from Soviet and Russian government delegations to the heads of state of Canada, Japan, France, Italy, Sweden, Cuba, the UK, Germany and several others. In 1999, Natalia personally presented her "Winter Troika" chest to Cannes Mayor Maurice Delauney during the Festival of Russian Culture. Her work is in the private art collections of top-rate collectors in Russia and abroad.

About the seller: I have lived in St. Petersburg, Russia, for 14 years, where I work in leadership development of college students. For the last three years, I have been developing my business, Hansa Traders, through which I sell quality Russian handpainted and handcrafted items. I am enthralled with the Russians' ability to create gorgeous works of art in miniature.

I have worked directly with Ms. Leonova, and other artists from Fedoskino, for over three years.

For more information, buyers can view my About Me page: http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=hansatraders

Customer satisfaction is guaranteed, and shipment will be prompt! Shipping costs include insurance and signature confirmation for domestic orders. For international, costs include registration and tracking.

In order to protect the privacy of my customers, this listing is private as a result of the new feedback system.

On Nov-17-07 at 20:53:36 PST, seller added the following information:

Images copied from eBay: b33a_12_8_2.JPG, b395_12_8_3.JPG, b412_12_8_4.JPG, b477_12_8_5.JPG, b4b8_12_8_6.JPG, 50b8_12_8_7.JPG