This is a hand-painted Russian lacquer box from the Palekh school, depicting a scene from the famous Russian fairy tale “Ivan Tsarevich.” The box is made of traditional papier-mâché, finished with multiple layers of lacquer, and decorated in tempera paint with gold detailing, following classic Palekh techniques. The rich colors, fine brushwork and fairy-tale narrative are characteristic of Palekh craftsmanship. The inscription in Cyrillic refers to the Palekh school and the fairy tale subject. There is no personal artist signature, which is common for atelier-made Palekh pieces intended for export. The interior is finished in traditional red lacquer. Overall, the box presents very well and remains a decorative and collectible example of Russian folk art. Origin: Russia School: Palekh Technique: Hand-painted lacquer, tempera, gold details Material: Papier-mâché Theme: Russian fairy tale – Ivan Tsarevich Period: Late 20th century (circa 1980–2000) Signature: Inscribed with Palekh and title; no personal artist signature Condition: Good overall condition, light signs of age consistent with use