Its founder, Piotr Korobov, learnt the process from a German manufacturer, Johann Stobwasser, whose predecessors had brought the lacquer-box manufacturing art to Europe from Japan. If you choose wisely, your Russian lacquer boxes will not only give you enormous pleasure, but will also be wonderful heirlooms to pass down to future generations.ĭuring my research on these boxes, it was interesting to discover that a Russian venture to produce these had been set up as early as 1798. Right now is the perfect time to start a collection, because, no other art form is better value for money. I am well aware of the fact that, 30 years down the line, these boxes will be museum pieces and today’s outstanding Russian lacquer boxes may no longer be affordable. It is not only a constant source of joy and wonderment to me. And if I ever feel depressed or worried, I can escape into the world of magic by sitting down for 15 minutes and looking at my collection. My own collection of Russian boxes is such that I always have an illuminating magnifying glass handy. If one becomes interested in Russian lacquer boxes, it is immediately apparent that a good box is the work of a true artist – one who has spent many years perfecting a skill that 99% of the rest of us can only wonder at and admire. But arguably the most popular collections are in the art field. Some people collect stamps, others baseball caps, yet others have a passion for vintage cars, or toy frogs, or beer steins. Most of us have collected one things or another during our lives. No wonder that of all the things that I have ever collected, Russian boxes are by far my favourite! The painting is almost unbelievable – so fine that some of the lines have been painted with a brush that only has two or three squirrel hairs. It is a magnificent, if miniaturised piece of exquisite art. It is a small – 12 cm by 8 cm – box, made of lacquered papier-mâché, and then hand-painted by an incredibly gifted artist. I’m using my large magnifying glass to closely examine one of my favourite Russian boxes.
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