Palekh USSR 1982 - Olga Yolkina / Gubanova - Case - No. 8902 - Papier-mache - Miniature lacquered box

Palekh USSR 1982 – Olga Yolkina / Gubanova – Lacquered miniature box – Tempera and rich gold highlights
Description
Very beautiful Russian Palekh miniature box, made in the USSR in 1982, in black lacquered papier-mâché with a red interior, adorned with a significant folkloric scene depicting seven characters dancing and playing the accordion in a wooded landscape.
The composition is entirely hand-painted according to Palekh tradition, with great finesse and numerous gold highlights, particularly visible on the costumes, ornaments, vegetation, and on the decorative friezes bordering the lid and the bottom of the box.
These touches of gold, characteristic of the finest Palekh miniatures, give the scene remarkable depth and a very particular éclat under light.
The box bears on the lid the inscriptions painted in gold:
« № 8902 – Палех – 1982 г. – Ёлкина О.Н. »
that is:
No. 8902 – Palekh – 1982 – Yolkina O.N.
It is attributed to Olga Nikolaevna Yolkina, later Gubanova, born in 1955, an artist trained at the Palekh Art School between 1973 and 1978 and then active in Palekh studios from 1978 to 1989.
The underside also bears the painted mark:
« Made in USSR »
The miniature is created according to the traditional Palekh technique: tempera painting on a black lacquered background, enriched with numerous gold highlights, then protected by several layers of varnish.
Dimensions
8 × 6 × 4 cm
Condition
Very good overall condition given its age.
Some very fine micro-scratches and signs of wear visible only under oblique light.
Decor, painting and gold highlights very well preserved.
Interior red also well preserved.
Strengths
Authentic Palekh, USSR, 1982
Identified artist: Olga Yolkina / Gubanova
Gold-painted signature, date and number
Numerous and rich gold highlights
Complex seven-figure scene
Made in USSR mark
Documented collectible item from the historical Palekh workshop tradition