Tea Party

This traditional Palekh box was painted by Ivan Beketov. It shows a wife and a husband sitting at the table and drinking tea from saucers. In the middle of the table there is a big samovar. The composition is filled with dozens of minute details that help to imagine vividly the interior of a peasant house. Gold and aluminum paint is used to enhance the detailing.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The box is decorated with rolling golden filigree around the composition and around the base we have a well executed gold floral pattern accented with aluminum. The lid of the piece removes easily without hinge and the box rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed with the artist's name, Palekh and the title.