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

Palekh USSR 1982 – Olga Yolkina / Gubanova – Miniature Lacquer Box – Tempera and Rich Gold Accents
Description
Very beautiful Russian miniature box from Palekh, made in the USSR in 1982, in black lacquered papier-mâché with a red interior, adorned with an elaborate folk scene depicting seven figures dancing and playing the accordion in a wooded landscape.
The composition is entirely hand-painted in the Palekh tradition, with great delicacy of execution and numerous gold accents, especially visible on the costumes, ornaments, vegetation, and decorative friezes bordering the lid and the underside of the box.
These touches of gold, characteristic of the finest Palekh miniatures, give the scene remarkable depth and a very distinctive glow in the light.
The lid bears the following 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 from 1973 to 1978 and subsequently active in the Palekh workshops from 1978 to 1989.
The underside also bears the painted marking:
“Made in USSR”
The miniature was made using the traditional Palekh technique: tempera painting on a black lacquer background, embellished with numerous gold accents, then protected with several coats of varnish.
Dimensions
8 × 6 × 4 cm
Condition
Very good overall condition for its age.
A few very fine hairline scratches and signs of use, visible only in raking light.
Decoration, paint, and gold accents very well preserved.
Red interior also well preserved.
Highlights
Authentic Palekh, USSR, 1982
Identified artist: Olga Yolkina / Gubanova
Signature, date, and number painted in gold
Numerous and rich gold accents
Complex scene with 7 figures
Made in USSR marking
Documented collector’s piece from the historic tradition of the Palekh workshops