This is an authentic hand-painted Russian lacquer box from the Palekh school, made in 2003. The box is executed in traditional tempera on papier-mâché, decorated with detailed fairy-tale scenes featuring figures, architecture and ornamental landscapes, all characteristic of Palekh lacquer art. The work shows fine linework, rich colours and gold detailing. The underside bears a handwritten inscription in Cyrillic, reading: “Сказка о царе Салтане” (The Tale of Tsar Saltan), signed “худ. Перов С.” (artist Pervov S.), and dated 2003. Mounted on a matching decorative stand. A genuine collectible example of late 20th / early 21st-century Palekh lacquer craftsmanship.