The Origins Of Black Lacquered Papier-Mache Boxes

Among all of Russian Folk Art, perhaps the most beautiful is the intricate art of painting miniatures on papier-mache’ boxes. The uniqueness of Russian lacquer miniatures is derived from four main sources - two artistic, and two thematic. It is the providential combination of these four elements that make Russian lacquer boxes and miniatures such unique and stunning works of art.

The two artistic sources are Russia’s Icon Tradition, and the importation of Lacquered Papier-Mache technique from Germany. Russia’s icon tradition goes back many centuries and is derived from Russia’s link with the Byzantine Christian empire. In 1818, Piotr Lukutin inherited a factory begun by his father-in-law, Piotr Korobov, who had convinced four German lacquer craftsmen from the Strobwasser factory to come to Russia and teach Russian craftsmen their lacquer box technique. With their expertise adapted from iconography, the Russians quickly mastered lacquery and thus "Lukutinsky" (the original Russian Lacquer Box style) was born.

The two thematic sources that go into Russian Lacquer Boxes are The Bylini, and The Skazki. Bylini are the unique form of the Russian heroic epic. While folk-tales were recounted as deliberate inventions, Bylini were performed as narratives in the remote past when Russia had to defend itself against foreign foes. The heroes of Bylini are called Bogatyrs - a valiant heroic warrior. The Skazki are the folk-tales of Russia, falling into three main categories: fairy-tales (e.g. The Malachite Casket), animal stories (e.g. The Golden Cockerel), and stories of ordinary life (e.g. Merchant Kalishnikov).

There are four main "schools" that produce Russian Lacquer Boxes. They center in four villages (small towns now) each having its own technique, or "style." These four villages are Fedoskino, Palekh, Mstiora, and Kholui. The original Lukutinsky form eventually developed into the art of Fedoskino. The other three were originally centers of icon production. For more on Russian Lacquer Boxes, see the "Sharing The Culture" card, Russian Lacquer Boxes: Characteristics Of The Four Main Villages.