Yemelya (By the Pike's Will)

M. Kuznetsova is the author of this small, round-shaped Palekh box. It shows several recognizable moments from the popular Russian fairy-tale “By the Pike's Will” or “Emelya and the Magic Pike”. In this tale Emelya catches the magic pike and in return for releasing her, the Magic Pike offers to fulfill all Emelia's wishes. 
The traditional Palekh style miniature painting covers the box's lid and its sides. The details are richly enhanced with gold and aluminum paint. Gold is also used to decorate the box's exterior with elegant patterns.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. The exterior of the box is painted with dark green lacquer while the interior is completed with red lacquer. The lid isn't hinged, and the box rests on three rounded legs. The work is signed with the artist's name, Palekh, and the year of 2002.