He patiently waits his turn as the excitement swells much like the waves overhead. He is many many feet below the surface, yet hearing them is not a problem. Soon, there will be introduction. And Sadko will do as he always has, he'll play his instrument until he cannot. This music will attract and intrigue, this unusual audience it will. The adventure has been a lengthy one, and this musical ability just might bring it to a thankful end. The applause will be nice, as will the smiles upon the faces of those enamored. But, there is something else of want. A need. A desire. It is time to go. Time, to go home.
This unique piece of Russian craftsmanship was created by the talented Alexander Kuznetsov from the village of Kholuy. This underwater journey is brought to life through the elegance of the palette and through the structure of the box itself.
Egg-tempera paint is the primary medium used to complete this work. This scene comes toward the end of the Russian classic entitled, "Sadko." Here, Sadko prepares to play his enchanting tunes for Tsar Morskoi as visions of his wife dance within his complex mind. Two of the servants of Princess Volkhova stand to the right and left of Sadko. The coloration here is magical. Oceanic tones of blue, sea green and lustrous gold paints swirl among one another. Sadko's red-orange attire stands out tremendously, as do the intricately applied golden contours noticed throughout. This scene is very charming.
The box is constructed from paper-mache made in the village of Kholuy. In an original twist, the artist carved the piece into the shape of a giant sea turtle complete with head, tail and flippers! The turtle's shell acts like the lid of the box and it is hinged to the right of the scene. Bold gold and sea green beads act as the decorative element of the lid's outer rim and for the head, flippers and tail. Simply adorable it is.
Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. Upon completion of this imaginative work the artist signs their name, the title and the village name of Kholuy along the bottom of the composition in gold paint.
Materials: Egg-tempera paint, paper-mache, gold paint and lacquer.
About Artist Kuznetsov, Alexander V.:
Alexander Kuznetsov's works are sited in these books:
I. Kamorin A. A., 1995, LACQUER MINIATURE. KHOLUY. MASTERPIECES OF RUSSIAN FOLK ART, INTERBOOK, Moscow.
1. Box "The Tale of a Fisherman and a Fish" (1992, Kholuy Craft Workshops), page 151, # 147.
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read about Kuznetsov, Alexander V.
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Sadko 2002"
- Weight: 2.6 oz 75 g
- Price: $350.00
- Status: SOLD
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