* Мстёра.

* Mstera

The village of Mstera in the Vladimir region has been known since the 20s of the 17th century thanks to the craftsmen of the Epiphany Monastery. In the holy monastery they wrote “petty letters” - miniature icons; later they taught the skill to villagers. Mstera artists began depicting the life of the Russian village in lacquer miniatures in the 1920s, when icons were almost on the verge of being banned. The October Revolution dictated new subjects to artists. They did not start making boxes here right away; first they painted the wooden items with tempera. But they were poorly bought, but buyers liked the painted lacquer boxes from the Proletarian Art artel. Masters of Mstyora followed the Old Believer traditions of icon painting, painted in Dutch landscape and popular print styles, and depicted Persian ornaments. Mstera artists avoided black backgrounds, which is why the miniature world of the boxes seemed especially clean and festive. This is how my own unique style emerged.

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Lot	Description	Price

№ 6	Box "From the song" Ogonyok ". * Mstyora. Year – 1960s Size – 10x11.8x2.5. Technique – Papier-mâché, painting, varnish. Description: At the bottom of the image is the author’s inscription: “From the song “Ogonyok” Kholui 1529 Puzanov.” By request Buy	By request Buy

№ 15	Box "Youth Camp". * Mstyora. Year – 1956 Size – 17.2x12.5x5.3. Technique – Papier-mâché, painting, varnish. Description: Around the image is the author's inscription: "Camp of young animals, Mstera Demidov." By request Buy	By request Buy

№ 26	Box "Who Lives Well in Rus'" based on the poem by N. Nekrasov. * Mstyora. Year – Mid-twentieth century. Size – 18.6x24.5x5.8. Technique – Papier-mâché, painting, varnish. Description: Around the image is the author’s inscription: “Who lives well in Rus'” based on Nekrasov’s poem. Mstera. B.V." By request Buy	By request Buy

The author's works at auctions:

Lot	Description	Price

№ 50	The Choice of a bride box. * Mstyora. Year – The 1950s. Size – 10х8х3,5. Technique – Papier-mache, painting, varnish. Description: The author of the painting is Frolov V. Inscriptions on the lower edge of the image. Прошедший аукцион №199 28 мая 2026 г. By request Buy	10000-20000 rub.

№ 66	Box "Youth Camp". * Mstyora. Year – 1956 Size – 17.2x12.5x5.3. Technique – Papier-mâché, painting, varnish. Аукцион №194 Аукцион 194 16 сентября 2025 г. By request Buy	15000-30000 rub.

№ 123	Box "The Tale of Tsar Saltan". * Mstyora. Year – 1950-1960s Size – 12.5x20.7x6. Technique – Papier-mâché, painting, varnish. Description: The signature on the cover is "The Tale of Tsar Saltan. Mstera. Zhuravlev." Аукцион № 175 Аукцион 175 23 ноября 2022 г. By request Buy	10000-20000 rub.